For 210 million years, giant amphibians dominated the earth before their final decline.

Nature · Published 30 September 2026 · Updated 20 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Temnospondyls were a remarkably diverse group of amphibians that thrived for over two centuries of millions of years. This video explores their long reign and the two primary environmental and biological pressures that eventually led to their extinction.

Temnospondyls represented a vast and varied lineage of amphibians that successfully navigated the planet for 210 million years. Their evolutionary history spans a significant portion of geological time, showcasing an immense capacity for adaptation across changing environments.

Their eventual extinction was driven by a combination of shifting climatic conditions and the emergence of the amniote egg. This biological innovation provided a competitive advantage to other groups, ultimately contributing to the decline of these once-dominant giant amphibians.

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