Hylonomus is a reptile from the Pennsylvanian of Canada. It was named in 1860 by John William Dawson. It was one of the oldest reptiles to exist, and its classification as such is unquestionable, due to a well-preserved specimen found in a log.
Physiology[]
Hylonomus resembled the generic lizard. It was a reptile with 4 legs, a long tail, a broad body, and a head with mid-sized jaws. It body would have been covered in scaly skin.
Diet[]
Hylonomus was a predator, feeding on small insects and other small arthropods. Its small and sharp teeth were used to get a hold of arthropod prey, with its front teeth being slightly longer than its back teeth.
Ecology[]
Not much is known about Hylonomus, although it can be inferred that it lived very similarly to modern lizards, quickly scampering across through the swampy terrain and eating small arthropods whenever it was hungry, as well as climbing up trees and hiding in fallen logs in order to escape hungry predators.