a taphonomic reconstruction of the late permian showed that there were well established, dense, riverine vegetation. it was originally thought that "endothiodon" would grub matter out of the ground using its beak. this is now seen as implausible because of the position of the external nares on the snout being placed so far anteriorly. instead, it is now thought that "endothiodon" inhabited the dense riverine vegetation and would crop foliage with its beak before processing it with its specialized and extensive oral cavity.