Hylonomus (hylo- "forest" + nomos "wanderer") was a very early reptile. It lived 312 million years ago during the Late Carboniferous
period. As of 2006, it is the earliest confirmed reptile (Westlothiana is older, but may in fact be an amphibian). Hylonomus
was 20 centimetres (8 in) long (including the tail) and probably would have looked rather similar to modern lizards. It had
small sharp teeth and likely ate small invertebrates such as millipedes or early insects.
