A Stunning 1:20 Scale Edaphosaurus Model

Our thanks to prehistoric animal model fan, Elizabeth, who sent us in this wonderful replica of an Edaphosaurus, a reptile that lived many millions of years before the dinosaurs evolved but is often mistaken for a dinosaur.

A Beautiful 1/20th Scale Replica of a Edaphosaurus

Edaphosaurus a customised CollectA model.
Edaphosaurus a customised CollectA model.

Picture credit: Elizabeth

The figure is part of the CollectA Deluxe prehistoric life model series. It has been customised and provided with a display base.

To view the CollectA Deluxe range: CollectA Deluxe Prehistoric Animal Models.

Edaphosaurus is not a Dinosaur

Edaphosaurus, like Dimetrodon, is sometimes referred to as a “sail-backed reptile”. It is sometimes included in dinosaur model sets.  However, Edaphosaurus was not a dinosaur.  This reptile was a synapsid, a member of a group of reptiles that has a single opening (fenestra) just behind the eye socket in the skull.  Dinosaurs, along with lizards, crocodiles, Aves (birds) and marine reptiles such as the Plesiosauria, were diapsids.  Diapsids have two holes on each side of the skull.  Mammals are also synapsids, so Edaphosaurus was ironically more closely related to mammals like us than to the Dinosauria, although the term “mammal-like” reptile that is often applied to this ancient reptile is very misleading and not accurate.

Edaphosaurus Lived During the Permian Geological Period, Long Before the First Dinosaurs

A customised Edaphosaurus model complete with display base.
A customised Edaphosaurus model complete with display base.

Picture credit: Elizabeth

Our thanks to Elizabeth for sending in to us some photographs of her fabulous Edaphosaurus diorama.

Visit the award-winning and user-friendly Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.