Posted on 09/17/2008 1:54:57 PM PDT by decimon
Scientists from Leeds University have discovered that the world was ruled by pig-like creatures for a million years.
The “Age of the Porcine” occurred around 260 million years ago - when the creatures called lystrosaurs were the few survivors of a mass extinction.
Nearly 95 pct of the living species were destroyed by a series of volcanic eruptions leaving behind pigs in a “golden age” of no predators.
They had Earth’s abundant plant-life all to themselves.
“We can only speculate on how lystrosaurs survived while the rest died.
Perhaps its ability to burrow and hibernate protected it from the worst periods,” The Sun quoted Professor Paul Wignall of Leeds University, as saying “The remarkable thing about the lystrosaurs was their size.
“Nothing else that big seems to have got through the destruction - and that is why they were able to dominate Earth for so long. They fed and spread.
“We think there were billions of them. Their fossils are everywhere,” he added Lystrosaurs were similar in size to modern pigs, with snouts and small tusks for rooting around in vegetation. (ANI)
Still is.
Porcine ping.
Yes, but did they (and do they) all wear lipstick?
Where’s cartoonist (”The Far Side”) Gary Larson when we need him?
I thought some of the lystro-critters were huge.
A reptile with a pig snout is still a reptile!
But, were they wearing lipstick?
And they'll rule it again...when pigs fly!
I throw the Barbara Streisand flag on this.
Big man, pig man
Ha, ha, charade you are
You well heeled big wheel
Ha, ha, charade you are
And when your hand is on your heart
You’re nearly a good laugh
Almost a joker
With your head down in the pig bin
Saying ‘Keep on digging’
Pig stain on your fat chin
What do you hope to find
Down in the pig mine?
You’re nearly a laugh
You’re nearly a laugh
But you’re really a cry
(RIP Richard Wright)
Where is Matt Damon on this? I need to know if he knew that Pigs onced ruled the world. I need to know this(sarc)
Study done by professors and free student grubbers with government money!
Those that can do, those that can’t teach.
Get a government grant and “research” and then publish or perish!
It's ruled by jack**ses now. Not much difference.
I smell BACON!
Oh dang, the article got me mixed up with the Eocene pig-beasties.
Mmmmmmm....bacon
Four legs good...
Anthracotheres, was what I was thinking of...
Just remember that you are known by the company you keep.
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