Fun Colosteus Facts For Kids

This Extinct genus has only one known species named Colosteus scutellatus. The fossil of these amphibians was found in the Middle Pennsylvanian locality of Linton, Ohio. Specimens of these amphibians are often mistaken for reptiles. To know more about these Middle Pennsylvanian tetrapods, keep reading!

How do you pronounce 'Colosteus'?

It is pronounced as 'Kaw-lows-tea-us'. This name was given by Edward Drinker Cope in 1862.

What type of dinosaur was a Colosteus?

The Colosteus scutellatus was a piscivore. It was an amphibian and not a dinosaur.

In which geological period did the Colosteus roam the Earth?

The Colosteus scutellatus roamed the Earth during the late Westphalian period or what is commonly known as the late Carboniferous period.

When did the Colosteus become Extinct?

It is unknown when exactly it became Extinct.

Where did the Colosteus live?

The Colosteus lived in North America. Its fossils were found in the Middle Pennsylvanian locality of Linton in the state of Ohio. More specifically, fossils were found in Saline Township. In Ohio, the fossil was also found in Mahoning County in the Five Points site.

What was the Colosteus' habitat?

Not much is known about the habitat of this genus apart from the fact that it lived in and around water bodies.

Who did the Colosteus live with?

It is not known whether the Colosteus was a solitary animal or if it exhibited group behavior.

How long did a Colosteus live?

The lifespan of a the Colosteus remains unknown.

How did they reproduce?

There is not much information regarding their reproduction.

What did the Colosteus look like?

All information related to the look of this animal is known from partial fossils and a skull that have been excavated in Ohio, USA. The skull showed that the head must have been pointed. The skull also proved the head to be flat. In front of the skull, a couple of premaxilla tusks were present. Apart from the skull, fossils don't point towards whether or not they possessed neck frills.

How many bones did a Colosteus have?

It is unknown exactly how many bones these Tetrapods possessed.

How did they communicate?

They most likely communicated by smell, sight, body language, and sounds like most other animals communicate.

How big was the Colosteus?

This newly found genera from Ohio is said to have been 3 ft (1 m) in length. This length is around four times the body length of a common lizard.

How fast could a Colosteus move?

The speed of a Colosteus is not known.

How much did a Colosteus weigh?

This animal weighed about 15 lb (6.8 kg).

What were male and female names of the species?

Males and females did not have specific names.

What would you call a baby Colosteus?

There is no specific name for a baby Colosteus.

How aggressive were they?

This animal mainly preyed on fish. Hence, it was somewhat aggressive in nature. However, it is also said that it could have been a carnivore.

Did you know…

Hook, in 1983, suggested from the fossil of this amphibian that its limbs used to be fins that changed due to evolution.

Hook also suggested that the skull of the Colosteus had fangs.

This amphibian from Ohio, USA was discovered during the late 19th century.

It is not known how it defended itself.

*We've been unable to source an image of a Colosteus and have used an image of a Greererpeton instead. If you are able to provide us with a royalty-free image of a Colosteus, we would be happy to credit you. Please contact us at [email protected]