| “ | This is the giant amphibian Hynerpeton, the prototype land-dweller for the next 300 million years. | „ |
| — Allen Johnson, about Hynerpeton in Age of Fishes: Land Dwellers | ||
Hynerpeton (name meaning "Creeping Animal from Hyner") is a genus of stegocephalid that originated during the Late Devonian Era in what is now North America. Measuring almost two meters long, this strange, prehistoric amphibian was one of the first vertebrate animals that could live and move on land for an extended amount of time.
In the Series 1 episode "Age of Fishes II: Armored Fish", a number of Hynerpeton were brought to the park from Late Devonian Pennsylvania, 360 million years ago. They reside in a lake exhibit of the Primeval Aquarium Enclosure.
Facts[]
Era & Discovery[]
Hynerpeton lived in North America during the Late Devonian Era, from 366 to 350 million years ago. It lived alongside other animals such as Bothriolepis, Stethacanthus, Hyneria, and Dunkleosteus.
Physical Attributes[]
Measuring 1.6 meters (5.24 feet) long and weighing 10 kilograms (22.04 lbs), Hynerpeton was much larger than most amphibians living today in the 21st Century. As a way to exploit the oxygen of the Devonian, Hynerpeton had evolved complex lungs. Their lungs were sacks just as a human’s. And as such, Hynerpeton breathed as humans do, forcing air in and in order for their blood to absorb more oxygen. Although they could breathe on land, Hynerpeton were still water-bound.
Despite the dangers of the water, Hynerpeton needed to make sure they were wet or their skin would dry out quickly and they would die. Their skin was much thinner than a human's and it dried out in minutes. Therefore, they had to keep it wet. However, when the sun set, Hynerpeton was able to spend more time on land, possibly doe to the color temperature at night. When it came to mating, their eggs were soft and their young had gills, not lungs, so they had to be laid in water.
Behavior & Traits[]
Inhabiting ponds, lakes, and rivers, Hynerpeton was able to adapt to a home at the water’s edge. But still, life for these animals was far from easy. During mating season (which was short for these strange amphibians), female Hynerpeton were selective of the males they would mate with and would only go for males who could defend their territory. During these disputes, male Hynerpeton would demonstrate their strength in a rather strange push-up contest to avoid injury.
Journal Entry[]
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Hynerpeton is the first prehistoric amphibian brought to the park.