Scientists in Australia have discovered the oldest known fossil footprints of a reptile-like animal, estimated to be around 350 million years old. This finding, published in Nature, indicates that vertebrates adapted to terrestrial life much more rapidly than previously thought, following their emergence from oceans approximately 400 million years ago. Prior to this, the oldest known reptile footprints dated back to 318 million years ago in Canada.
The fossilized footprints, found on a sandstone slab near Melbourne, display reptile-like characteristics, including long toes and hooked claws. Estimates suggest the creature was about 2.5 feet (80 cm) long, potentially resembling a modern monitor lizard. The hooked claws indicate it was a terrestrial animal. According to Per Ahlberg, a co-author of the study, this is significant because only land-dwelling species evolved claws; aquatic vertebrates like fish and amphibians never developed such features, remaining reliant on water for reproduction.
The fossils capture a moment in time, showing the movements of multiple animals in a single day. One reptile’s tracks were partially obscured by rain dimples, followed by two others running in the opposite direction before the ground solidified. This discovery sheds light not just on the physical appearances of ancient reptiles but also their behaviors and interactions, according to co-author John Long. At the time of this animal’s existence, the Earth’s climate was hot and humid, with large forests emerging, and Australia was part of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana. This research advances our understanding of early reptilian evolution and adaptation to life on land.
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