Diplocaulus was a very strange looking animal. While it looked similar to a lizard with a boomerang shaped head, this creature was actually an early amphibian, related to modern salamanders and newts. Diplocaulus required lots of moisture to keep its skin hydrated, which likely meant they always stayed near sources of water, like many of today’s amphibians. Its head was potentially connected to its body by skin flaps, which may have made Diplocaulus look bigger and more intimidating to rivals, or potential predators.
Scientists have developed many theories on the purpose of Diplocaulus’ strangely shaped head, but recent studies suggest that it was used to provide lift, like the wing of an airplane. Diplocaulus would have used this during hunting, settling on the bottom of a fast-moving river or stream, facing its head against the current. When a potential meal swam above, Diplocaulus would have tilted its head upward, using the power of the flowing water to propel itself towards the surface to grab its prey. It’s long tail likely aided in the sudden burst of speed, making Diplocaulus a swift ambush predator. Diplocaulus’ eyes were also uniquely suited to this hunting method, as their placement on the top of the head allowed it to clearly see any prey items swimming above it.
While Diplocaulus was a highly adapted predator underwater, it was not suited for hunting on land. Its large head and small limbs likely made it rather clumsy on dry land, and thus susceptible to becoming prey for large synapsids like Dimetrodon. It is even thought that these synapsids would wait for a dry season, where streams would dry up and the amphibians would be forced to burrow underground and hibernate. The synapsids would then simply dig up
the hibernating amphibians, and enjoy an easy meal.
Scientists have developed many theories on the purpose of Diplocaulus’ strangely shaped head, but recent studies suggest that it was used to provide lift, like the wing of an airplane. Diplocaulus would have used this during hunting, settling on the bottom of a fast-moving river or stream, facing its head against the current. When a potential meal swam above, Diplocaulus would have tilted its head upward, using the power of the flowing water to propel itself towards the surface to grab its prey. It’s long tail likely aided in the sudden burst of speed, making Diplocaulus a swift ambush predator. Diplocaulus’ eyes were also uniquely suited to this hunting method, as their placement on the top of the head allowed it to clearly see any prey items swimming above it.
While Diplocaulus was a highly adapted predator underwater, it was not suited for hunting on land. Its large head and small limbs likely made it rather clumsy on dry land, and thus susceptible to becoming prey for large synapsids like Dimetrodon. It is even thought that these synapsids would wait for a dry season, where streams would dry up and the amphibians would be forced to burrow underground and hibernate. The synapsids would then simply dig up
the hibernating amphibians, and enjoy an easy meal.