Knobbly reptile roamed vast ancient desert

[dipsydoodle]

A bizarre reptile with knobbly growths on its head roamed a vast, isolated desert about 260 million years ago, researchers say.

New fossils from northern Niger in Africa have been described in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.

The distinctive creature belongs to a new genus of pareiasaur - plant-eating creatures that flourished during the Permian period.

The cow-sized specimen has been named Bunostegos, which means "knobby roof".

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. Link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23032892

[dipsydoodle]

2. Thanks for that.

And for Permian period see here : http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/history_of_the_earth/Permian