Based on the misattributed tracks and misidentified bones from other Triassic animals, early illustrations depicted the giant amphibians (often referred to as "Labyrinthodon" at the time) as big froglike creatures that supposedly crossed their legs as they walked since the outer fifth digit on the Chirotherium footprints resembled a thumb.
Early depictions of giant amphibians, often called "Labyrinthodon," were based on misidentified bones and tracks from other Triassic animals. These illustrations portrayed them as large frog-like creatures that crossed their legs while walking because the outer fifth digit on Chirotherium footprints resembled a thumb.