How a Chicken Farmer Unearthed a 240-Million-Year-Old Giant Amphibian Fossil

During the 1990s, an enterprising chicken farmer stumbled upon a remarkable find – the fossilized remains of a colossal amphibian, estimated to be a staggering 240 million years old. This incredible discovery is thought to be a direct ancestor of the modern Chinese giant salamander, as depicted in the image above.

Interestingly, the retired farmer had initially acquired these ancient rocks from a local quarry with the intention of employing them in the construction of a retaining wall for his garden. However, fate had other plans. Recognizing the significance of his discovery, he later decided to generously donate both the rock and the fossil to the esteemed Australian Museum, ensuring that this invaluable piece of prehistoric history could be properly preserved and studied for generations to come.

After nearly two decades of meticulous research and examination, scientists have at last bestowed a name upon the fossil of this colossal amphibian and the species it represents. Meet Arenaerpeton supinatus, a name derived from Latin that intriguingly translates to ‘supine sand creeper.’ This enigmatic creature is believed to have roamed the Earth during the Triassic period, an astonishing 240 million years ago.

It’s worth noting that while we’ve pinpointed the era in which Arenaerpeton supinatus thrived, the precise age of the fossil itself remains somewhat elusive, adding an element of mystery to this fascinating relic of our planet’s distant past.

What adds a thrilling dimension to this particular fossil is the near-complete preservation of Arenaerpeton supinatus’s entire skeletal structure. As Lachlan Hart, a PhD candidate in the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences at UNSW, aptly puts it, such finds are exceptionally rare. “We don’t often find skeletons with the head and body still attached, and the soft tissue preservation is an even rarer occurrence,” he shared in a statement.

Remarkably, this well-preserved fossil presents a striking resemblance to its modern-day descendants, the Chinese giant salamanders. Notably, Arenaerpeton sported formidable teeth, including fang-like tusks situated on the roof of its mouth. These features strongly suggest it was an adept predator, likely using these impressive fangs to hunt ancient fish. Ongoing investigations by researchers at the University of South Wales aim to unveil more of the mysteries surrounding this giant amphibian.

In the interim, it’s crucial to recognize the immense significance of this discovery. According to Dr. Matthew Curry, Senior Lecturer in UNSW’s School of BEES and Curator of Palaeontology at the Australian Museum, this fossil ranks among the most important finds in New South Wales over the past three decades. Fossils like these, along with pre-dinosaur footprints, serve as invaluable windows into our planet’s rich history, offering profound insights into the world as it existed in epochs long past.