One of the most famous ancient animals that lived on the territory of modern Russia was the woolly mammoth. This Ice Age giant reached 3.5 meters in height and could weigh up to 7 tons. In the cold corners of Russia, bones of these majestic creatures are still found, about which science knows many fascinating facts. However, many do not even suspect that other ancient creatures roamed the lands of Russia. Millions of years ago, ancient lizards and dangerous predators lived here, which can well be called monsters. Scientists sometimes find fossilized remains of these creatures, which cause delight. Are you ready to find out what amazing creatures inhabited the territories of the Amur, Perm and other regions of Russia?
Contents
- 1 Dinosaurs in Russia
- 2 Ancient animals of Russia
- 3 Ancient species of rhinoceroses
- 4 Ancient predators titanphoneus
- 5 Saber-toothed predators of antiquity
Dinosaurs in Russia
Amazing dinosaurs lived on the territory of modern Amur Oblast millions of years ago. One of them was olorotitans(Olorotitan) – giants with an elegant crest on their heads. The name of this genus of dinosaurs, which can be translated as “giant swan”, perfectly describes these creatures, which reached 8-10 meters in length.
Olorotitan was one of the largest members of its family and stood out not only for its impressive size, but also for the unique structure of its neck and skull. Its powerful, trumpet-like crest probably served to produce loud sounds, and its long neck with 18 vertebrae made it unlike other dinosaurs.
The remains of Olorotitan were discovered in the Amur Region, and this is one of the most complete dinosaur finds in Russia. These herbivorous giants could move on both two and four legs, and their teeth, adapted for chewing tough vegetation, were constantly renewed.
Interestingly, Olorotitan shared its environment with other ancient creatures, from turtles to crocodiles, creating a vivid picture of life in the Late Cretaceous era in what is now Russia.
Ancient Animals of Russia
About 267 million years ago, in the Perm region, there lived amazing creatures – estemmenosuchus. These ancient creatures had an unusual appearance due to the horn-like growths on their heads, for which they were called “crowned lizards”.
One species of Estemmenosuchus, Estemmenosuchus uralensis, could reach a length of over 4 meters. Its massive body and powerful teeth indicate that these giants could feed on both plant food and carrion.
Estemmenosuchians were probably semi-aquatic and lived in coastal areas, much like modern hippos. Their skin was thick and covered with bony plates, giving them an imposing and menacing appearance.
Interestingly, the remains of these ancient creatures are well preserved and can be seen in museums in Russia, including the Orlov Paleontological Museum.
Read also: The fastest dinosaurs in the history of the Earth
Ancient species of rhinoceroses
Elasmotherium are giant rhinoceroses that lived on the territory of modern Russia about 30 thousand years ago. They were widespread in the Volga region and Siberia. These mighty animals reached 6 meters in length and weighed up to 5 tons.
One of the unique features of the elasmotherium was a large dome-shaped growth on its forehead, which, according to scientists, could have served as a support for a huge horn that reached more than one and a half meters in length.
Remains of Elasmotherium have been found in different parts of Eurasia, including the Taman Peninsula and the Caucasus. These massive rhinos adapted to the harsh conditions of the Ice Age and were probably covered in fur. Their extinction about 30 thousand years ago is probably due to climate change and hunting by primitive people.
Ancient predators Titanophoneus
Titanophoneus are amazing ancient predators that lived in Russia approximately 265 million years ago. These creatures reached a length of up to 4 meters, had long and narrow skulls, powerful fangs and strong paws with wide feet, which were probably adapted for swimming. However, despite this, they preferred to hunt on land, attacking large vertebrates.
The remains of titanphoneus were found in the Urals and the Volga region, which makes them an integral part of the ancient fauna of Russia. The skulls of adults were distinguished by thickened bones, which could serve as protection in fights with other predators.
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Saber-toothed predators of antiquity
Ivantosaurus are amazing ancient predators that lived in the territory of the modern Perm region of Russia about 265 million years ago. They belonged to the family of eotitanosuchids, being primitive ancestors of mammals.
The remains of Ivantosaurus were found in the Ochersky District, and the length of its skull reached 55-75 centimeters, with huge fangs up to 19 centimeters long. These “saber-toothed” predators hunted large herbivores. Thanks to their powerful fangs, they were able to easily pierce the thick skin of their victims.
These creatures were similar to other saber-toothed predators of the time, but were more primitive. Hunting in tropical forests and swamps, they became an important part of the ecosystem of ancient Russia, opening the way for the development of mammals.
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Ivantosaurus and other ancient creatures prove the rich diversity of life in Russia millions of years ago. If you were impressed by ancient predators, we recommend that you learn about five modern animals that live exclusively in Russia. These are no less interesting creatures!