What else but a drawing of the so called 'Triassic Cuddle'. A fossil discovered that found a mammal like reptile Thrinaxodon sharing a burrow with an injured amphibian Broomistega (it had broken ribs that appear to be in the process of healing), but not likely caused by the Thrinaxodon.
While it is most likely the Thrinaxodon was in a state of aestivation or torpor (like a very deep sleep - think hibernation) and therefore couldn't evict its new amphibious resident; I think this fossil really hit a chord with some people. It's never a good idea to humanize animal behaviour, I think we all wish that this was a case of two animals facing a catastrophic extinction event and deciding it was best to ride it out in the safety and warmth that comes in numbers. At least until the rains came.
Unfortunately it would seem it did, and these two were buried in a flood and died. Kept hidden in the earth for 250 million years until we came along and found their short story.
While it is most likely the Thrinaxodon was in a state of aestivation or torpor (like a very deep sleep - think hibernation) and therefore couldn't evict its new amphibious resident; I think this fossil really hit a chord with some people. It's never a good idea to humanize animal behaviour, I think we all wish that this was a case of two animals facing a catastrophic extinction event and deciding it was best to ride it out in the safety and warmth that comes in numbers. At least until the rains came.
Unfortunately it would seem it did, and these two were buried in a flood and died. Kept hidden in the earth for 250 million years until we came along and found their short story.
Category Artwork (Traditional) / Animal related (non-anthro)
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 716 x 1000px
File Size 1.11 MB
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