Looking like a giant turtle, and in fact possibly being related to them, Scutosaurus was quite the sight in the Late Permian deserts. Constantly migrating to find food and water, this tank-like creature traveled in massive herds, often wiping out entire ecosystems in their constant search for nutrients.

Basic info

Meaning of name: Scutosaurus means "shield lizard".

Time of existance: Scutosaurus lived in the Late Permian period, 265.1 million to 252.3 million years ago.

Diet: Scutosaurus was a herbivore, and only fed on the desert plants, which they used stones that they swallowed in their stomachs to grind up the plants to get every ounce of nutrients they could.

Threats: Despite their armor, Scutosaurus was seen as prey by large Gorgonopsids. They were also at risk from, ironically enough, their own migrations, as although they could survive for six months without water, they could end up dying of starvation and dehydration. They also were at risk from the climate, like sandstorms.

Size: Scutosaurus was about eight to nine feet long.

Attributes: Scutosaurus' most important attribute for its survival was it's ability to go for long periods of time without food and water, as since it spent most of its life migrating, it wouldn't always have availiable nutrients. Their armor was also very strong, protecting them from most creatures that might consider them food.

A Scutosaurus wanders through the desert

Appearances in the Walking with... series

Walking with Monsters

Scutosaurus is briefly seen running in the opening of the show.

Scutosaurus in the opening

Episode 1-Water Dwellers

Scutosaurus is the first animal seen in the series, as in the opening synopsis it is seen running at the very beginning. It is next seen killed by a Gorgonops, and its corpse is seen as the Gorgonops growls at the camera. A giant herd of Scutosaurus is briefly seen walking as well.

Episode 2-Reptile's Beginnings

Scutosaurus is seen in the credits, where is shown fleeing from a Gorgonops before being killed. A herd is also seen wandering.

Episode 3-Clash of Titans

A Scutosaurus is seen running in the opening recap, and a dead one is seen being eaten by a Gorgonops. A massive herd is also shown, walking through the desert. An old male Scutosaurus is seen looking around the desert, having been left behind by his herd. He senses danger and begins to run, but he tires fairly quickly and roars, panting. He is unaware of the hungry Gorgonops stalking him until its too late, when he looks behind him to see the Gorgonops tear into his shoulder, leaving a very large wound. He begins to flee from her, but ends up at a dead end. On top of that, he is exhausted and weakened by his wound. Lying down, he is immediately pounced onto by the Gorgonops, who bites his neck and kills him. However, he briefly shoots back to life, but it is merely a reflex, as he immediately goes limp again. The corpse is briefly seen as the Gorgonops smells the camera.

A herd of traveling Scutosaurus

Later in the segment, a massive herd of Scutosaurus arrives at the watering hole, having smelled the water from miles away. Having not drank in six months, they immediately begin to drink from it, as well as feed on the shrubs despite them being poor sources of nutrients. It is revealed that the stones they have in their stomach help crush the plants down to give them all of the nutrients they can. The Gorgonops now keeps her distance, as she would not dare attack such a large herd. Within days, the Scutosaurus herd have drunk the water hole dry, and now move on to continue their search for food and water, leaving the other creatures with the consequences. Unfortunately for the Scutosaurus, the only thing they will find is extinction, as their plight will end in a massive extinction event that will kill 90% of all life on Earth.