Physical Description

Gorgonopsids were primitive therapsids (not mammals or reptiles), though many times they are misclassified as pelycosaurs (mammal-like reptiles). They were ranged from dog sized to 11 feet long. It is unknown if they had fur or whiskers, but they likely were warm blooded. They could not lactate, and also laid eggs rather than give live birth.

Gorgonopsids stood on pillar-like legs with an upright posture, rather than being sprawled like modern day reptiles. They bore close resemblance to dinosaurs (which they are not related to) and mammals. Gorgonopsids did not have a long tail, though they did have long skulls. They were heterodonts, meaning they had differently shaped teeth. This is not present in non-synapsid reptiles, but is present in mammals (the last living synapsids). Gorgonopsids had 12 cm long saber teeth, which are only on mammals (well, and I guess gorgonopsids). They are synapsids, meaning that their skull has an opening at the gorgonopsid's temple (a place near your eyes). Gorgonopsids are also called gorgonopsians.