Named By: | HansinDieter Sues in 1991 |
Time Period: | Late Triassic |
Location: | USA, Arizona - Petrified Forest Formation, North Carolina - Cumnock Formation, Virginia - Turkey Branch Formation |
Size: | Unknown due to lack of remains |
Diet: | Carnivore |
Fossil(s): | Teeth |
Classification: | | Chordata | Reptilia | Archosauromorpha | |
Uatchitodon is an extinct genus of Late Triassic reptile known only from isolated teeth. Based on the structure of the teeth, Uatchitodon was probably a carnivorous archosauromorph. Folded grooves on the teeth indicate that the animal was likely venomous, with the grooves being channels for salivary venom. The teeth are similar to those of living venomous squamates such as Heloderma and venomous snakes. Uatchitodon is the earliest known venomous reptile.