The Pareiasaurs - Family Pareiasauridae - are a clade of medium-sized to large herbivorous anapsid reptiles that flourished during the Permian period. Their build was quite stocky, often with rather short tails and small heads. These ungainly-looking animals had very large bodies, ranging from 60 to 300 centimeters (2.0 to 9.8 ft) long, and weights of 600 kilograms (1,300 lb) would not been unusual. They also had strong limbs, broad feet, and short tails. They were protected with bony scutes (osteoderms) set in the skin, as a defense against predators. Their heavy skulls were ornamented with multiple knobs and ridges.