Dinocephalians appeared in the early Permian and became the largest animals of this period, some possibly weighing up to 2 tons. The dinocephalians mysteriously became extinct at the end of the middle Permian. Images: Gondwana Studios : Formidable fauna

Unlike the small amphibians of today, such as frogs, toads and salamanders, Permian amphibians achieved monstrous sizes, and some featured massive, tooth-studded jaws and strong legs. : Formidable fauna

Pareiasaur ("cheek lizard'') was a medium to large herbivore possibly related to modern turtles. : Formidable fauna

The sail-backed Dimetrodon was among the pelycosaurs ("basin lizard''), which evolved into a range of herbivores and carnivores but did not survive the Permian-Triassic extinction. : Formidable fauna

Cynodonts ("dog teeth'') appeared towards the end of the Permian and are believed to be among the therapsid group, the direct ancestors of all mammals. : Formidable fauna