Scientists in Argentina have uncovered the fossil of a fearsome land-dwelling crocodile that lived alongside dinosaurs more than 70 million years ago. Unlike today’s crocodiles, which spend much of their time lurking in rivers and swamps, this newly discovered species was a terrestrial predator built for speed and agility.
A Predator Named Kostensuchus atrox
The species, named Kostensuchus atrox, measured around 3.5 meters in length and weighed approximately 250 kilograms. Fossil evidence reveals a skull with sharp, serrated teeth, suggesting it was capable of tearing through flesh with brutal efficiency. Its strong jaw and muscular body indicate it was not an ambush predator waiting in the water but a hunter that actively stalked prey on land.
Hunting Dinosaurs on Dry Ground
Researchers believe this ancient crocodile targeted smaller and medium-sized dinosaurs, as well as other reptiles that shared its environment. Its knife-like teeth are reminiscent of theropod dinosaurs, pointing to a hypercarnivorous diet that placed it among the apex predators of the Late Cretaceous.
A Remarkable Fossil Find
The fossil remains were discovered in the Chorrillo Formation of southern Patagonia, a region known for its rich Cretaceous deposits. The find includes a nearly complete skull, jaws, vertebrae, ribs, and portions of its limbs—making it one of the most complete specimens of its kind. Such preservation offers paleontologists rare insights into the anatomy and lifestyle of these prehistoric hunters.
Changing Our View of Ancient Crocodiles
This discovery challenges the modern perception of crocodiles as semi-aquatic ambush predators. Instead, it reveals that some ancient relatives evolved to dominate land ecosystems, sharing hunting grounds with dinosaurs. The find also helps fill in gaps in the evolutionary history of peirosaurids, a group of crocodile-like reptiles that thrived in Gondwana, the ancient southern supercontinent.
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