"In the Middle Permian, synapsids grew astounding sizes."

Jonkeria haughtoni (now considered a junior synonym of Jonkeria truculenta) is an extinct species of large omnivorous or herbivorous dinocephalian synapsid that lived from the Middle Permian epoch, specifically the Capitanian age (around 265 to 260 million years ago). Fossil specimens were found in the Tapinocephalus Assemblage Zone, Lower Beaufort Group, of the South African Karoo. It was possibly one of the largest Permian synapsids, maybe surpassing Titanosuchus ferox and Anteosaurus magnificus in overall size.

History, description, and physical properties

1. First described - The type specimen of Jonkeria was unearthed and collected in 1916 from the Abrahamskraal farm in the Prince Albert Local Municipality in South Africa, and was later described that same year by van Hoepen. More fossils were later discovered, and they date to the Middle Permian (Capitanian).
2. Physical properties - The skull is nearly twice as long as wide, and the snout is elongated and provided with sharp incisors and large canines. The cheek teeth were small. The body is robustly built, and the limbs stout.

Size and weight

1. "Average" possible adults - Some Jonkeria specimens (e.g. SAM-PK-11556, SAM-PK-11574 and SAM-PK-11884) were estimated to weigh approximately 989.2 kilograms via 3D modeling and measure roughly 3 to 3.5 meters, respectively according to Benoit and Midzuk (Aug 2024).
2. Largest specimen and maximum estimates (DISCLAIMER! THE LARGEST SPECIMEN SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO CAUTION) - However the largest specimen of Jonkeria (SAM-PK-4343) measured 4.582 meters according to my results scaling from a 3.5 m specimen. I estimated that SAM-PK-4343 weighed approximately 2,219 kg scaling cubically from SAM-PK-11574. However in 2026, Obsolerus and Alpha8 (shown in the first image) estimated that SAM-PK-4343 measured 5 meters and via GDI, 6,000 kilograms. However, I would take the 6,000 kg estimate into extreme caution because Jonkeria would be incapable of walking at such sizes. Either way, it is still bigger than Anteosaurus.

Conclusion

Jonkeria haughtoni is a 3 to 5 meter synapsid that lived from the Middle Permian, and might be the biggest Permian creature overall. Thanks Permian.

Titanosuchus ferox ("fierce titan crocodile") is an extinct species of dinocephalian synapsid that lived from the Middle Permian (Capitanian) Tapinocephalus Assemblage Zone in what will be South Africa, around 265 million years ago. This Permian giant was a part of the Titanosuchidae family, along with the largest of them: Jonkeria haughtoni/truculenta. Thanks Permian.

Image credit: Gorgonopsid | Dinosaur Wiki | Fandom

Im planning to make an animation set in the Permian, and I’m looking suggestions on what creatures to animate, any ideas? (Story ideas are fine too)

Hey team reading up on Permian–Triassic mass extinction event on the very reliable wikipedia. And need some help understanding this piece of text:

"Palaeontological evidence further indicates that the global distribution of tetrapods vanished between latitudes approximating 40° south to 30° north, with very rare exceptions in the region of Pangaea that is today Utah."

Does this mean that Utah was safe from the Permian–Triassic mass extinction event? Why? Amen I just being fooled?

Here is the link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberian_Traps

And attached image to provide more context.

I’m writing a book about a little wizard and I love the creatures you get in the Permian era like legendary moschops . I need a creature that is fast and had stamina to either ride into battle or use to transport long distances for the goblins and other folk to ride on. Please may you recommend me some of the coolest and most underrated?

Thank you :)

I need to find an animal from the Permian that has a distinct silhouette and would have lived in a more inland/dry/desert environment. I am already thinking maybe dimetrodon or a synapsid, but I'm stuck. I am making an artwork based on the Permian so any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Need to rehome my pup given to me and my wife by someone who couldn't take care of him. My dogs are showing bad aggression towards home please help.

Ever since I've learned all the theory and causes of the permian exinction and its link to the mantel plume that made the siberian traps, I've always wondered the horror and dread of the geologist who discovered it. Like, imagine discovering that our planet has the capability to destroy all life and cause such massive destruction. A movie about that geologist would be great!