Kloorian

Kloorian is an extinct genus of nocturnal mammals belonging to the order Crocodylomorpha. It was first described by Dutch paleontologist Lambert Marius Heringa in 1940. Fossil remains of Kloorian were found in South Africa, in a geological formation dated to the Cretaceous period, specifically around 70 million years ago.

From the available fossil evidence, Klorians are believed to have been relatively small, weighing between 20-50 kilograms. Their discovery was significant as it provided insight into the diversity of early mammals during the Cretaceous period. The genus name "Kloorian" is derived from the location where the fossils were first found, a region known as the Bokkeveld Plateau in South Africa.

Kloorian specimens show a mix of reptilian and mammalian characteristics, typical of many prehistoric mammals that lived during this time period. They had a semiaquatic lifestyle, with adaptations such as webbed hands and feet, suggesting that they were adapted for swimming and climbing.

Little is known about the behavior of Kloorian species, but their presence in Cretaceous-age sediments suggests that they played a role in the ecosystem of their time. Despite being relatively recently discovered, the study of Kloorian fossils has enriched our understanding of mammalian evolution and adaptation during a significant period in Earth's history.