Estemmenosuchus (Wild Safari by Safari Ltd.)

My introduction to Estemmenosuchus came from the 1994 episode of Paleo-World titled “Tail of a Sail”, which was about Dimetrodon and other synapsids, their evolution, and how they relate to mammals. Estemmenosuchus was only featured briefly via images of its skull and a couple pieces of paleoart but that was enough for me to become enamored with this animal and to help broaden my appreciation for prehistoric life beyond the Mesozoic. Now Safari is doing their part to broaden appreciation for prehistoric life in today’s collectors, both young and old, with an Estemmenosuchus as part of their Prehistoric Life range. Not counting their 2018 Dimetrodon this is Safari’s first stem-mammal since their 2010 Inostrancevia.

Estemmenosuchus (Greek for crowned crocodile) was a genus of therapsid that lived during the middle Permian Period, 267 million years ago. Being a therapsid means that Estemmenosuchus was a mammal relative. Indeed, mammals are the only surviving lineage of therapsids, or synapsids for that matter. Two species of Estemmenosuchus have been described, E. uralensis and E. mirabilis, both from Russia. This figure from Safari clearly represents E. mirabilis, with its more elaborate cranial ornamentation. Estemmenosuchus lived in coastal marshes and other wetlands that at the time would have been located near the equator. It is thought to have been an herbivore or omnivore.

The Safari Estemmenosuchus stands just under 2.5” (6.19 cm) tall to the top of the head and measures 4.75” (12.065 cm) long. E. mirabilis was the smaller of the two species and is estimated to have measured 9.8’ (3 meters). This puts the Safari figure at 1/24 in scale.

The Safari Estemmenosuchus is depicted striding forward on accurately sprawled limbs, the right forelimb stepping forward and the right hindlimb pushing back. The head is looking slightly rightward. The mouth is open, displaying the varied dentition of the animal, including incisors, large canine teeth, and small, tightly packed molars on the upper jaw. A thick, fleshy tongue obscures the bottom molars.

The horns of Estemmenosuchus were almost certainly used for display and/or intra-species combat. Being somewhat palmate they’re often compared to a moose’s antlers. They include antler-like structures on top of the head, one on either side of the head, and a small horn on the snout. Estemmenosuchus had forward-facing eyes, probably due to the placement of its display structures. All of that is faithfully reproduced on this figure.

CollectA also recently released an Estemmenosuchus and on their figure they chose to make the horns appear even more antler-like in that they’re depicted as being bare boned. But they were not antlers, nor would they have been shed like antlers, so such a reconstruction seems unrealistic. Safari has covered the horns of their figure in skin. We don’t know what covered these structures in life, but they were almost certainly covered in something, be it skin or keratin, and so I prefer Safari’s choice to cover them. I prefer it aesthetically too. 

Speaking of skin, we have skin impressions of Estemmenosuchus. They seem to show that the animal had smooth skin, enhancing the hippo-like appearance of Estemmenosuchus. The Safari figure also has smooth skin although there is some light stippling in various places to add texture. The figure is appropriately squat and stocky, with robust limbs, and thick rolls of skin running down the neck. The tail is short and pointed and all the bodily orifices are sculpted onto the figure, including the ear openings and a cloaca (since monotremes have a cloaca it’s safe to assume that stem-mammals did too). The figure has a decidedly more mammalian feel to it than CollectA’s, thanks to features like the fleshy lips, robust build, and somber colors.

The figure is painted in orange tones, with the back being rust colored and gradually fading to a kind of apricot orange on the underside. It’s a figure that would be easily lost in fall foliage. It’s not a flamboyantly painted figure but that’s alright, it’s simple and effective and works well for a therapsid. The eyes are black, teeth white, and the inside of the mouth is pink. Five digits are sculpted on each foot and they each have nails painted black.

The Safari Estemmenosuchus is an outstanding figure of one of my favorite Permian animals and I’m totally stoked to add it to my collection. Although CollectA recently did the same species it’s great to have options, especially with something as obscure and enigmatic as an Estemmenosuchus.

You can literally count on one hand how many figures of this animal have been made. But the thing is, if we want toy companies to make more of these obscure prehistoric animals, we must show our support and buy them. Every time a company like Safari Ltd. makes something like a Permian synapsid instead of another giant theropod, they take a risk. Some truly outstanding figures like the Safari Einiosaurus and Nasutoceratops have already been retired, after only a few short years of production. This is because they don’t sell well. It could very well be that this figure won’t sell well either, but it needs to, otherwise we won’t get more like it. So go out and buy yourself the Safari Estemmenosuchus, and while you’re at it, buy one for your kid, niece, nephew, whoever. The Safari Estemmenosuchus will be available soon on Safari’s website, here. Lastly, I would like to extend my gratitude towards Safari Ltd. for kindly sending along this figure as a review sample.