The Oldest Known Venomous Land Predator?

The extraordinary Euchambersia, an ancient relative of mammals, might have had a deadly venomous bite. Join us as we search for more evidence of this fascinating animal in the Karoo semi-desert of South Africa and explore what makes this creature so remarkable.
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Sources:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/1...
www.frontiersin.org/articles/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/1...
royalsocietypublishing.org/do...
royalsocietypublishing.org/do...

[@pandacidalmaniac2439]

Did Doug ever recover from the desert madness? Or is he still seeing dinosaurs to this day?

[@mastathrash5609]

You can't imagine what it's like! It's like ...it's like...you can only see dinosaurs!

[@crabclaw_]

@@mastathrash5609 and pigs

[@saalkz.a.9715]

But... But, dinosaurs are real and around us (somewhere)... They always steal your socks, but only the left one. PS.: That wasn't a pig, it was a Pigosaurus Baconensis!

[@ZeFroz3n0ne907]

@@saalkz.a.9715 When you said the part about the socks I had the scene from HTTYD in my head, Gobber's lines haha. Also, "RAAAAAAGH! Mornin'!"

[@jacobv3396]

He's "walking with dinosaurs". *ba dum ts*

[@AlbertaGeek]

Thing is, though, if Doug was pointing at birds when he was saying "There's a dinosaur!", he's not actually wrong.

[@persianking44]

In an alternate universe, Ben and Doug getting lost would have led them to the discovery of a complete Euchambersia skeleton with evidence of venom glands, while Doug randomly pointing out where the dinosaurs were, were in fact exactly where some complete and nearly complete dinosaur skeletons were lol

[@sava-smth]

And pigs

[@theaveragecomment1014]

@@sava-smth gotta remember the pigs

[@Cat_Woods]

"We're not lost. They're lost." Iconic.

[@Denuhm]

I grew up in this part of south africa and I would've loved to look for fossils there. Sadly my family are staunch creationists and any fossils I brought home were from the flood, 6000 years ago so I stopped - these days I live very close to Lyme Regis and go find fossils every time there is a storm :)

[@DardS8Br]

What stuff did you find?

[@danieljob3184]

What is more believable? 1: the earth is only 6,000 years old? 2: while the Greeks were masters of geometry & mathematics, they were a bit sh*t at other languages!?

[@dr.floridaman4805]

No creator? Lmao prove it. For real. You can't. You will see soon enough. As for the 6k year theory that is brainwashed indoctrination There was a huge deluge about 12.5k yrs ago. Flood mythos is real. Research any ancient culture around the world. The flood happened. Man is older than 1.8 million years. Aryan tooth found in Georgia Caucasus mountains region dated to 1.8 million year. You are limited by men who wrote books that you believe through faith. Your science is a cult

[@nalinux]

At least you didn't become creationist :) In the spanish part of Pyrennées mountains, we walk on so many oysters fossils we don't even pay attention.

[@DardS8Br]

@@dr.floridaman4805 prove there is a creator

[@thedoruk6324]

Whether venomous or not we could all agree that it was the *goodest of the bois*

[@stoned9874]

yes we can

[@thedoruk6324]

@@stoned9874 It literally looks like an arcane ancient primordial golden or labrador retriever lol

[@Kroggnagch]

I can agree it was the longest of faces

[@wyvern723]

The first goodest boi?

[@stoned9874]

@@thedoruk6324 INNIT?! its adorable 😍

[@TheAnimalKingdom-tq3sz]

Lystrosaurus: "One shall stand!" Euchambersia: "One shall fall!"

[@kahonk269]

Why throw away your life so recklessly?

[@Christian_Sims]

@@kahonk269 That's a question you should ask yourself Euchambersia

[@the13inquisitor59]

Not a reference I would've expected, but one I can appreciate.

[@ItachiTsukuyomi98]

@@the13inquisitor59 gotta love G1 Optimus Prime

[@WaterShowsProd]

Loved this episode. It's great to show the realities of field work, and it still remains very informative. While the idea of a sensory organ is intriguing, it doesn't take into account its position above the canines, nor the fold on the tooth itself; I think venom makes far more sense, or at least a digestive enzyme as there are no rear teeth for processing. Also, I think Doug should do his own adaptation of The Four Feathers.

[@nalinux]

Julien works for real :)

[@liammurphy2725]

I really liked the little snippet on acquiring the perceptual vision needed for effective field work.

[@rileyernst9086]

I can't help but think that from looking for Lystrosaurus to searching for euchambersia you the expedition was ramped up in difficulty by several orders of magnitude.

[@TheHazza]

When Doug goes mad he becomes Australian.

[@danieltaylor5231]

How could you tell Doug was going insane? He seems just like normal for 3D Doug.

[@mastathrash5609]

OOooh!! SO MANY DINOSAURS BEN! 😆

[@Andreas_42]

@@mastathrash5609 Sounded more like dinosaw. Or dinosauce. 😁

[@mastathrash5609]

@@Andreas_42 That's what you put on the dinosaur after you roasted it.

[@uliuchu4318]

The Karoo sure has its own special beauty... I was there for a botanical excursion once. And desert madness is real. As a botanist it let's you see Lithops and Hydnoras everywhere... And I also found a tortoise skull. The killer could also be identified quickly by the burnt surroundings. That poor thing couldn't outrun a bush fire...

[@Albukhshi]

@ 13:09 Famous doesn't begin to describe this guy. He had a very colorful career as a paleontologist, adventurer, spy, and even tried to become king of Albania. I still remember reading about this guy, almost 15 years ago, and thinking "this guy was wild!" He isn't just famous for dinosaurs: guy was a pioneer in Paleobiology as we know it now, and island dwarfism. Illness eventually drove him to commit a murder-suicide in 1933. @17:22 He's reminding me of Nigel Davenport's depiction of George III's madness... Yeah, it's a very niche reference, but trust me, it makes sense.

[@fernbedek6302]

Well, they found some synapsid bones eventually. That’s good. Even if they’re a bit recent.

[@pyrobeast_jack]

so jealous... i wanted to be a paleontologist so bad, but my physical disabilities would never permit such a career path for me :( it is quite fun watching and learning, though. thank you for bringing it to a place where so many can enjoy.

[@RyanPHill77]

This series is fantastic. Not only do I get to see the day-to-day reality of paleontologist sin the field (I still partly regret not taking that route years ago), but my son can see it too (his future dream career)!

[@entropicflux8849]

i love it when paleontologists sin the field.

[@matthewhatherley3020]

@@entropicflux8849 🤣

[@lynnhayes2363]

I always thought the first venomous dino-era animal would be in Australia. Good luck w your work!

[@dylanwickund9109]

I find the animals before and after the dinosaurs way more interesting

[@mhdfrb9971]

They all are equally interesting

[@dylanwickund9109]

@@mhdfrb9971 yes but my whole life up until i started doing my own research did i get to learn about more then just dinosaurs as a child until like 14 i didnt think there was anything before the dinosaurs and my whole life up until then even now is only dinosaurs on tv shows and movies which is cool i guess but i wish the other equally and more badass would get some screentime too besides the small documentaries

[@mhdfrb9971]

@@dylanwickund9109 sorry for my bad English

[@LadyhawksLairDotCom]

I find them _all_ interesting.

[@ArtisticlyAlexis]

These videos have been more informative than most of the major production companies docs. I can't wait to see where you guys go next time!

[@J242D]

16:26 holy shit why is Doug’s American accent so goddamn clean LMFAOO

[@chumati1578]

Imagine if every location Doug pointed towards really had a dinosaur fossil embedded in them lol

[@Lillian2167]

I'm so jealous, it must have been so exciting finding the fossils and trying to figure out what you'd found. :3

[@revolvermaster4939]

I was on the edge of my couch watching y’all ford that raging river

[@alvaronavarro4895]

Oh wow what a treat of a video! Thank you guys for nurturing the passion of my Life!

[@MaryAnnNytowl]

You bring us such interesting ancient critters to learn about! Thanks for what you do. ❤️❤️❣️

[@Cursethedawn]

I'm never quite sure if Doug enjoys paleontology or absolutely hates it.

[@Grautmann]

Glad you guys survived the perilous journey across half of africa to find your missing team-mates!

[@ZeFroz3n0ne907]

I was not expecting the cardboard cutout, hahaha. Well played.

[@dylanwickund9109]

This is the stuff i love as people dont know some animals carry slight venoms

[@capnbeenieweenie5603]

Love this series! Keep up the great work lads.

[@ericl447]

Thank you guys for continuing to educate our world. You are a service to humanity. 👍

[@grimmcreole44]

Ben and Doug's excellent adventure is truly a blessing to this decaying platform

[@kuitaranheatmorus9932]

These videos never fail to interested and expand my love for prehistory reat Hope you guys have a good day

[@ltlbuddha]

"Mr. Doug has got the madness, he does, Sir Ben. Is it off to Bedlam with him, then?"

[@rosekay5031]

This is my favourite Ben Thomas upload

[@oyecomova5478]

Fantastic video, loved the journey!

[@rexmagi4606]

Hunting for venemous monsters with Dr Nwah. Little did we know Ben was writing the script for Elder Scrolls 6.

[@oriondye3212]

Assume they’re not counting arthropods or insects in the category if land predators.

[@stoneworld5962]

Entracte Science channel (from the french paleontologist in video) is one of my fav in french, great to see both Ben G Thomas and him in a video !

[@WAMTAT]

Brilliant series

[@astick5249]

17:11 I like how Ben in more concerned that Doug is seeing dinosaurs due to them being in a permian fossil site and not because he is seeing dinosaurs.

[@jacksonhiatt4174]

Given the lack of teeth behind the canines, could the extra large salivary glands function as a means to lubricate large mouthfuls of food for ease of swallowing?

[@craftycriminalistwithms.z3053]

Thanks for this I really enjoyed it all, I kit only learned somethings I also laughed super hard at you all, and I don’t laugh enough especially in watch videos, so thank you so very much ❤

[@zipsey]

Love this channel

[@AbuctingTacos]

So refreshing to see real science being done

[@kaloarepo288]

The platypus of Australia is a mammal (non placental)that has a poisonous spur -only current mammal I can think of that is venomous.

[@jake.g1]

The slow loris too, there's probably not many but theres others.

[@markshort9098]

There's a lot more venomous mammals than you think.. a quick google search will surprise you

[@TVAVStudios]

The "Damn." gag legit cracked me up. Well done.

[@gafrers]

Awesome series

[@bluedragon219123]

I said this on another video about this animal and I'll say it again: IT. LOOKS. SO. HAPPY! :)

[@Tuishimi]

Fun! Thanks for sharing.

[@veneraberens2547]

COOL ANOTHER GREAT VIDEO WITH ON SITE TAPE

[@-_-thisnameiscreativeasfuc4734]

Doug turned into Bear Grylls for a little bit

[@WhiteNucklin]

Dudes this is awesome!

[@robrice7246]

This was the synapsid that most likely appeared in the Triassic section from the Walking with Monsters episode "Clash of Titans".

[@johnsamu]

Always fun to discuss if a poisonous animal is venomous or a venomous animal is poisonous 😉😁

[@patreekotime4578]

Venom is active and is typically injected. Poison is passive and just exists.

[@fuccyahhat1229]

Nice work boys 👍🏼

[@laprankster3264]

10:50 “After making perilous crossings across vast bodies of water” now I can officially say that I have done so to impress my crush.

[@PowerScissor]

I wonder if anyone has studied the evolution of the monsters who put toilet paper rolls on backwards. Fascinating group of people, they are.

[@sandybarnes887]

Define backwards

[@tanyabreach6422]

its not difficult getting lost in the New Forest. Thanks for being the Palaeontologists we needed for those of us interested but can't do it too.

[@catfishcain]

When can we expect the last videos for this series to be posted?

[@charlesjmouse]

"Bah! I'll be shot if I go looking for any more fossils!" You may well be right ...

[@GhoulsMagnets]

10:05 The scrublands of Cornwall are really beautiful, and who can forget about the dunes of Sussex

[@John.0z]

How can we get a copy of the data to 3D print a copy of that Euchambersia skull???

[@AlbertaGeek]

Exactly what, in those wide-open expenses, was being hunted that a human was in danger of being mistaken for it? "It's a good thing that fellow was wearing a high-visibility vest, otherwise I could have sworn he was an elephant!"

[@herbertkeithmiller]

Lions and spiders and rocks oh my

[@godslaughter]

ngl, I would have quite a hard time figuring out what's a rock and what's a Special Rock™, knowing that fossils are basically rocks. They're kinda like the shinies of the rock world.

[@ticklemedaddy]

I don't see how that could be the "first" venomous predator, that's just a discord moderator

[@kamnale1317]

28:50 you could find some dinosaur bones tho, from ostriches for example

[@SeverusFelix]

"We were on the hunt for a very different animal. . . MAN" Oh I thought this was going a different direction

[@jerryfrost8136]

I like the evidence for Euchambersia being venomous, the grooved teeth and possible glands look similar to the Gila Monster. Not having molars suggests to me a cytotoxin to assist break down possible liquify flesh to aid in digestion. Watching the field work illustrates why all the time devoted to preparation is necessary to figuring fossils out. Do you and Doug do preparation or stick to the field?

[@Turdfergusen382]

Ben you are wonderful

[@steakfou5042]

Thanks!

[@oisnowy5368]

Fossils, fossils everywhere! And nary a drop of sanity...

[@therealzilch]

The oldest known venemous land predator? Count me in. Great work as usual Lunch invitation still open. cheers from rainy Vienna, Scott

[@robrice7246]

Here's an interesting question, when finding fossils would something like a portable gamma-ray detector work?

[@theamorphousflatsch2699]

No, im not sure why you would think that.

[@patrickjanecke5894]

Probably not. To my understanding, gamma emitting isotopes don't favor fossiliferous minerals.

[@lazertuiyope]

Interesting question

[@everett8948]

Hey what's up Ben, I'm loving the videos but I'm wondering why it is that Doug never makes an appearance. Unless you count the cardboard cutout with the badly timed mouth movement LOL!

[@duneydan7993]

Is there supposed to be a next episod or was I cliffhangered into oblivion?

[@jurassicroom7673]

That's what I'm wondering did it end up as a Patreon exclusive? I don't see it addressed anywhere.

[@sassa82]

Very nice drawings

[@fuckYTIDontWantToUseMyRealName]

So Doug finally went off the deep end? I knew it would come eventually.

[@hibernianperspective6183]

@12:48 Baron Nopcsa looks like Dengar from Empire Strikes Back.

[@patrickjanecke5894]

The yellow vests are okay, I guess, but I'd still feel much safer wearing blaze orange if there's a hunt going on.

[@flightlesslord2688]

'that concerning considering we're in the Permian' lol

[@michaelpytel3280]

Perhaps it is Doug that is Venomous .

[@froggyweathers9257]

Sweet Flippin video

[@erichtomanek4739]

Doug Gone Wild in WashBang!?

[@dylanwickund9109]

So they may have vemom sacs? That so cool

[@herbertkeithmiller]

🦕🦖 now you've got me seeing them too

[@Invading-Specious]

thank you.

[@leechild4655]

If they had no mol;ars for chewing maybe the fossa contained a digestive juice rather than some venom though they may be two of the same thing?

[@satanofficial3902]

"Rocks are rocky. But not bullwinkle-y." ---Albert Einstein

[@richardanderson8696]

These 'in the field' videos are good, but I think I actually prefer the previous narration-led style that focuses on packing in the information. But that's just me, and I appreciate you probably feel the need to grow and to evolve the way you produce these videos.

[@JoeSmith-vf9gz]

These guys could extrapolate a million years of history from a stone that I would skip across a pond.

[@Tripoderoo]

Euchambwrsia is so fascinating

[@bewmdogg]

18:38 missed the opportunity to say "I'm 'Dam' impressed"

[@tofuteh2348]

Love it

[@jthomas8263]

Ben and Doig, 🦖 Ancient eggshells show dinosaurs already dying out before asteroid strike, Chinese scientists say.

[@Vicus_of_Utrecht]

17:33 That whole bit, golden!

[@lucasgaudio3720]

So… you got lost in place that has lions on it…. That was a much more dire situation than you realized

[@rileyernst9086]

Lots of old bones, and dinosaurs getting around. Sounds very much like last time i was in the desert.

[@LeoTheYuty]

Chad sharks surviving every damn mass extinction