The Triassic Odd Couple
When: Early Triassic Period, about 249 million years ago
Where: Admiralty Estates, KwaZulu Natal Province, South Africa.
Claim to fame: The Triassic Odd-Couple are an unusual pairing of the cynodont proto-mammal Thrinaxodon and a small amphibian, Broomistega, whose bodies were fossilized inside the same burrow. Although it's fun to imagine them as buddies, mismatched lovers, or a crime-fighting duo, they may not actually have met while alive. Thrinaxodon is thought to have been a terrestrial animal with strong burrowing abilities, so it probably dug the burrow. The Broomistega, a small amphibian, had partially healed broken ribs and other injuries. Maybe Broomistega took refuge in the burrow, perhaps after the Thrinaxodon had died, or perhaps, the Thrinaxodon was in a state of aestivation, - the equivalent of hibernation, but during hot or dry seasons.
Broomistega and Thrinaxodon Triassic Odd-Couple mug set.
About the pieces: So far, every Broomistega and Thrinaxodon piece I have made has been part of a Triassic Odd-Couple mug set. Having seen them together, it's hard to imagine them apart.