page_title: Procolophon
section_title: Description
hierarchical_section_title: Procolophon / Description
caption_attribution_description: Italiano: Fossil of Procolophon - Took the picture at Natural History Museum, Bonn University
context_page_description: Procolophon is a genus of lizard-like procolophonid reptiles that first appeared in the Late Permian of South Africa, Brazil, and Antarctica. It persisted through the Permian–Triassic extinction event, but went extinct in the early Triassic. The type species is P. trigoniceps.
context_section_description: Procolophon reached a length up to 30 centimetres (12 in), and is considered to have been a small herbivore or insectivore. The skull of Procolophon is distinct because of its latero-posteriorly facing paired cheek spikes, along with spiked dermal ossicles. Paleontologists debate the function of the cheek spikes. Some paleontologists posit that the bony protrusions were points for muscle attachments. Procolophon also had large eyes, and may have had acute night vision. Its teeth were peg-like and suitable for crushing plant matter. The front of the skull was short and blunt with the nasal opening very close to the mouth.
caption: Fossil
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