Dinodontosaurus: The Ancient ‘Cow of the Triassic’ existed in Tanzania over 240 million years ago.

There is a very strange looking prehistoric creature which could have lived in the present-day Tanzania, over 240 million years ago.

It may look like a bizarre cross between a pig, a turtle and a saber-toothed cat.

However, scientists say this was one of the most formidable herbivores of the Triassic era.

Scientists have identified a previously unknown species of giant tusked creature that roamed what is now Tanzania around 240 million years ago, when the first dinosaurs walked the Earth.

Dubbed the ‘cow of the Triassic’ the animal, named Dinodontosaurus isiyavamanda, belonged to a group of mammal relatives called dicynodonts.

It was the dominant herbivore of its time and would have moved around in herds, experts say.

And despite being a plant-eater, its distinctive beak and enormous tusks meant it could have caused serious damage to any predator that targeted it.