Seems to me they are arguing against a straw-man of a paleo-artist. When illustrating the fossil of a reptile they start from a crocodile because that's the clo

Seems to me they are arguing against a straw-man of a paleo-artist. When illustrating the fossil of a reptile they start from a crocodile because that's the closest relative, as they probably get inspiration from today's homo to illustrate past human ancestors. Notice how the article feature only mammals and one bird in its gallery of "how X would look to a future paloeartist", and no reptiles. Isn't that because fat plays a much smaller role in shaping reptile?