5 ‘Dicynodon strigiceps’ (smaller)

3D Model

Dicynodon (‘two canine teeth’) in fact lacked teeth but had two long tusks growing down from a hard, horny beak. The genus, which contained many species, was named by anatomist Richard Owen, scientific advisor to the artist, in 1845. At the time the sculptures were made, dicynodonts were known mainly from skull fragments so while the head is likely fairly accurate the turtle-like body is largely conjecture. There is no evidence that dicynodonts had shells.

Today, dicynodonts are often described as ‘mammal-like reptiles’. They were plant-eating burrowers with robust limbs and longish bodies, rather than the squat shape of the sculpture. They lived 258–252 million years ago (Triassic Period).

Of the two Dicynodon sculptures at Crystal Palace, the larger may be intended to represent D. lacerticeps. This smaller one perhaps represents what was called ‘D. strigiceps’ (‘owl-faced Dicynodon’) in 1854 but this is no longer considered a valid species.

Model by HE Geospatial Survey Team ©Historic England