Placerias hesternus

***Placerias hesternus*** was a large herbivorous reptile that lived during the Late Triassic period, about 221 to 210 million years ago. It belonged to a group of animals called *dicynodonts*, which had two tusks and a beak-like mouth. Placerias hesternus was one of the largest and most common dicynodonts in North America, where it inhabited semi-arid plains and river valleys. It had a barrel-shaped body, a short tail, and sturdy limbs. It probably fed on low-growing plants and roots, using its strong jaws and tusks to dig and bite. Placerias hesternus may have lived in herds for protection from predators such as *rauisuchians* and *phytosaurs*.