As the Permian continued, the sail-backed reptiles began to disappear, being replaced by new, more streamlined creatures. One of these new creatures was the terrifying predator Gorgonops. Almost looking like a wolf, this mammal-like reptile was the top predator of the time, and stalked the desert for whatever they could attack.

Basic info

Meaning of name: Gorgonops means "Gorgon face".

Time of existance: Gorgonops lived during the Late Permian, 260 million to 254 million years ago.

Diet: Gorgonops was the top predator, and naturally considered most animals at the time prey. Not only were the giant Scutosaurus considered prey by Gorgonops, but also the tiny burrowing Diictodon, though they were considerably harder to catch since they lived underground. They would even attack the giant labyrinthodont amphibians that liver in the watering holes.

Threats: Gorgonops may have been top predator, but they were not immune to the most dangerous threat in the Permian-the weather. Due to the insanely unpredictable sandstorms and droughts, Gorgonops could end up starving or dying of thirst. They could even be mummified during sandstorms.

Size: Gorgonops was about 7 feet long.

Attributes: Gorgonops was a quite fast animal, able to chase after its prey. They also had very strong jaws that could crush their prey's windpipe. Gorgonops' sabre-teeth were its most important attribute, as it allowed it to make a quick, clean kill, and get to eating quickly. These fangs could be up to four inches long.

Two Gorgonops fighting

Appearances in the Walking with... series

Walking with Monsters

Gorgonops appears in the opening of the show, where it charges towards the screen and bites.

Gorgonops in the opening

Episode 1-Water Dwellers

Gorgonops appears a couple of times in the opening synopsis, where it is seen killing a Scutosaurus and growling at the camera, and is then seen evolving from Dimetrodon.

Episode 2-Reptile's Beginnings

Gorgonops briefly appears at the end of the episode after evolving from Dimetrodon, growling and looking around. It also appears in the credits, chasing and killing a Scutosaurus, and is also seen trying to catch a Diictodon, which retreats back into its burrow.

Episode 3-Clash of Titans

Gorgonops is first seen in the opening recap, where one is seen eating the carcass of a Scutosaurus when another one approaches, and the feeding one growls at the other. A female Gorgonops is one of the main focuses of the Late Permian segment of the episode. Despite this, they are only referred to as "gorgonopsids". She is first seen stalking an old male Scutosaurus who was seperated from his herd. She then begins to move in, charging and biting into the Scutosaurus' side, leaving a massive wound. She then allows the male to begin to flee, as to tire him out before going for the killing blow, pursuing him. Once the old reptile is tired and weakened, she pounces and bites his neck, crushing his windpipe and killing it. She sniffs at the carcass momentarily before the Scutosaurus briefly shoots up, before going limp again. She then growls and sniffs the camera, seemingly annoyed by it. Later, three Gorgonops are seen drinking from a tiny watering hole, until the female comes looking for a drink. The others get the message and leave, and she rubs her face on a tree branch to mark her scent. She then returns to the water hole. Later, she decides to go to a congregation of small burrowing reptiles called Diictodon, hoping for a quick and easy meal. However, the Diictodon flee into their holes, and she sniffs at the entrance. Later, two toy with her by popping out of their holes, only to dart back in when she tries to bite them. Annoyed by this, she leaves the burrowing site and goes to rest near the watering hole. Later, a trio of Gorgonops are seen at the waterhole, where one takes a few drinks, only to be attacked by a giant amphibian. However, the amphibian only manages to grab its lower jaw. The other two watch in confusion before the Labyrinthodont flees back into the water. The trio simply watch the hunter return to the water. When the wet season arrives, however, there is no rain, and the climate begins to dry out, causing many species to die out. The female Gorgonops returns to the disappearing watering hole, where she has been stalking the giant amphibian. However, the amphibian flees into a slightly deeper part of the water hole, and Gorgonops sniffs in annoyance. However, unaware to all the animals, life is about to change for the worse, as a gigantic herd of Scutosaurus arrives, driven by the smell of water and food. The female Gorgonops knows better than to attack the herd, and is simply forced to have a standoff with them. Within days, the Scutosaurus have drinken the entire waterhole, leaving nothing for the rest of the creatures. In desperation, Gorgonops returns to the Diictodon, trying to dig them out. However, she is unable to dig deep enough, and is instead driven back to the dried up water hole.

Gorgonops tries to dig out some Diictodon

She then digs out a giant coccoon, which belonged to the Labyrinthodont. She then begins to feed on it. When storm clouds begin to gather, instead of water, they bring a giant sandstorm, burying the watering hole. It is revealed that the Gorgonops did not survive, dying of starvation. Now mummified in the sand, she will soon be nothing but dust.