280m-year-old Giant Salamander-like Fossil Discovered in Namibia

A giant salamander-like creature named Gaiasia jennyae, an apex predator before dinosaurs, has been discovered in Namibia, with a 2.5-meter length, toilet seat-shaped head, and fearsome interlocking fangs, indicating it was a top predator in its ecosystem. Fossil hunters found multiple specimens, including skull fragments and nearly complete backbones, shedding light on its powerful bite and unique features. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about early tetrapod distribution, as Gaiasia lived in a colder climate, prompting questions about tetrapod evolution and Earth's history. The fossils of Gaiasia highlight its predatory nature, resembling a large amphibian but belonging to an ancient group of vertebrates that eventually gave rise to various modern species like reptiles, birds, and mammals.