African Vulchae

Earth (Holocene): Extinct (EX) – IUCN Red List (real-life) / Vulnerable (VU) – IUCN Red List (alternative)
Reinachos: Least Concern (LC) – IUCN Red List

Earth Subpopulation

Reinachos Subpopulation

The African Vulchae (Inostrancevia africana; Russian: Вулхай, Xhosa: Yomelelichqa, Zulu: Inchaqinila) is an extinct genus of carnivorous therapsids, containing the largest members of the family Gorgonopsidae, predators characterized by long, saber-tooth-like canines.

Etymology

This creature was named after the Russian geologist Aleksandr Inostrantsev. Vulchae is the Anglicization and Latinization form of the Russian word: волк “volk”, which means “wolf.” The Ural River in Orenburg Oblast, where the taxon's holotype specimen was discovered, is referenced in the specific epithet uralensis.

Physical Appearance

Inostrancevia had a large, compact, four-legged body with a large head and snout, and it possessed mammalian specializations, including differentiated (heterodont) tooth shape, a fully developed temporal fenestra, pillar-like rear legs, and ear bones. Their tough, leathery hide enabled them to endure several rounds of gunfire and even the vicious claws of a mythical or futuristic creature in all realms.

Represented by the remains of a large theriodont reptile with satire-toothed teeth. Therapsids are advanced carnivorous synapsids that resemble mammals, as evidenced by their gracile skeletons and diverse array of teeth.

Abilities

The massive fangs of Inostrancevia were utilized to stab and slash huge victims, probably targeting the soft tissues or neck. It possessed a strong bite because of the huge temporal holes in the skull for powerful jaw muscles. To make effective use of its saber teeth, the mouth could open to a nearly 90° angle.

Inostrancevia has agile, mammal-like movement because it can move more quickly and effectively than sprawling reptiles due to its semi-erect leg posture. It might be able to swiftly run short distances in order to ambush prey. Because of their enormous eye sockets, which indicate superior vision, Inostrancevia had keen senses. Its later mammalian relatives most likely inherited its keen sense of smell for tracking prey.

Inostrancevia may have possessed a somewhat warm-blooded physiology as a therapsid, which would have given it more energy efficiency and endurance than cold-blooded reptiles. Inostrancevia's massive body was designed to slam weak walls, such as plywood or ceramic plates, or closed doors.

Ecology

The new fossil discovery in South Africa suggests that Inostrancevia migrated 11,300 km (7,000 miles) across Pangea, filling a gap in a faraway ecosystem that had lost its top predators, before going extinct itself. However, after studying its fossils the scientists realised that it wasn’t actually closely related to the South African species. Instead, its closest relatives were living over 11,000 kilometres away in what is now Russia.

Behavior

The massive fangs of Inostrancevia were utilized to stab and slash huge victims, probably targeting the soft tissues or neck. It possessed a strong bite because of the huge temporal holes in the skull for powerful jaw muscles. To make effective use of its saber teeth, the mouth could open to a nearly 90° angle.

Inostrancevia has agile, mammal-like movement because it can move more quickly and effectively than sprawling reptiles due to its semi-erect leg posture. It might be able to swiftly run short distances in order to ambush prey. Because of their enormous eye sockets, which indicate superior vision, Inostrancevia had keen senses. Its later mammalian relatives most likely inherited its keen sense of smell for tracking prey.

Inostrancevia may have possessed a somewhat warm-blooded physiology as a therapsid, which would have given it more energy efficiency and endurance than cold-blooded reptiles. Inostrancevia's massive body was designed to slam weak walls, such as plywood or ceramic plates, or closed doors.

Distribution and Habitat

This fourth species of Inostracevia is in the Karoo Basin, South Africa. According to the fossil record, the Upper Daptocephalus Assemblage Zone, from which Inostracevia africana is known, would have been a well-drained floodplain. The area preceding just before the Permian–Triassic extinction, this would explain why there is no more diversification of animals than in the older strata of the Balfour Formation.

Movement Pattern: Nomadic
Individual Type: Solo
Population Trend: Stable
Population: 0
Locomotion: Terrestrial
Habitat: Taiga; Montane Grasslands and Shrublands, Temperate Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands; Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands; Tropical Grasslands; Tropical Savannas and Shrublands; Mediterranean Forests, Woodlands, and Scrub; Mushroom Forests; Mushroom Fields; Deserts and Xeric Shrublands; Badlands; Flooded Grasslands and Savannas; Swamp; Bayous/Billabongs; Air-breathing Coral Reefs; Graveyard Vale; Warm Ghost Town; Cold Ghost Town; Ruined Skyscraper.
Earth:
- Extinct: Lesotho; South Africa

Tamed

Inostrancevias can be tamed via their babies with meat and milk.

Lore

It was one of the last top predators of the Permian period before the devastating Permian-Triassic mass extinction decimated ninety percent of life on Earth. All animals on planet Earth and Sawintir were the product of forced evolution, which was Inostrancevia created by gods, angels, elves, and fairies to produce a large, robust, and obedient workforce.

During fieldwork at the Nooitgedacht farm in the Karoo Basin of South Africa, under the direction of co-author Jennifer Botha from the University of the Witwatersrand, Nthaopa Ntheri and John Nyaphuli found two specimens of giant gorgonopsians. Christian F. Kammerer and his colleagues publish a revision in 2023, after the processing of the fossils, in which they unanticipatedly determine that these specimens belong to the genus Inostrancevia. This is a major first because the genus had only previously been documented in Russia.

Known Individuals

Past and Present Incidents Individuals

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The Recollections of Queen Arianna Individuals

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Gallery

Coming soon