Dinocephalia is an extinct group of therapsids that lived during the late Permian to the early Triassic periods, approximately 270 to 245 million years ago. These creatures are characterized by their large skulls and robust bodies, which suggest they were well-adapted to their environments. Dinocephalians are often considered to be among the earliest ancestors of mammals. The group includes various genera, such as Styracosaurus and Anteosaurus, which displayed unique features like thickened skulls and prominent tusks. Their diverse adaptations indicate they occupied different ecological niches, ranging from herbivorous to carnivorous lifestyles, showcasing the evolutionary experimentation of the time.