 
Sarcosuchus imperator, ('flesh crocodile emperor') was a super-crocodile that lived in Africa some 100 million years ago. It was up to 12 metres in length, as long as a bus, and weighed 8 metric tonnes.Paleontologist Paul Sereno discovered the nearly complete skeleton of this massive ancestor to modern crocodiles in the Sahara desert, which, during the Middle Cretaceous period, was covered with vast rivers and lush plains. Sarcosuchus lived along the rivers’ banks, eating fish, large animals, and even smaller dinosaurs, which it crushed in its massive jaws. Supercroc was easily twice as long and ten times as heavy as the largest crocodile existing today. 
At the left is paleontologist Paul Sereno with the skull of Sarcosuchus that he unearthed. Examination of the bones reveals that Supercroc probably lived about 50-69 years, twice as long as modern crocodiles.Sarcosuchus was not a dinosaur, although it lived in the same era. In fact, it is not even a direct ancestor of modern crocodiles and alligators ... crocodiles and dinosaurs had a common ancestor some 250 million years ago, but soon diverged into two separate groups. The giant Sarcosuchus imperator appeared about 110 million years ago, but died out. Today's 23 species of crocodiles and alligators took a separate path. Sereno explained that the skull of Sarcosuchus is about 2 metres long, with narrow jaws containing more than 100 teeth. The upper jaw, tipped with large, sharp, powerful incisors, overlaps the lower jaw, ideally designed to grip the flesh of its prey. 
At the right is a comparison in size between the skulls of Sarcosuchus and a modern Nile crocodile. According to Sereno, "The teeth are incredibly stout; they are crushing, penetrating teeth." This suggests it probably fed on land animals more than on fish and turtles. As with its modern cousins, the eye sockets are rotated upwards, so that it can watch for prey while remaining submerged.
"Modern crocodiles living in African rivers often grab large animals, such as wildebeest and zebras, and drag them into the water where they are drowned and then torn apart. Sarcosuchus probably did the same thing," said Sereno, "but because the ancient animal was so large, it could easily handle huge dinosaurs, including the massive long-necked, small-headed sauropods that were common in that African region".  The existence of Sarcosuchus was already known before Sereno made his discovery. A French paleontologist named Alfred Felix de Lapparent dug up fossilized teeth and armor plates of a giant crocodile while prospecting in the Sahara in the 1940's and 1950's. But until Sereno uncovered a skeleton of Sarcosuchus in the Sahara, not much was known about the giant reptile. Pictured at the left is Sereno with the complete skeleton of the monster crocodile. More information and photos can be obtained from the National Geographic site about Supercroc. We urge you to visit it and find out all about this incredible creature! Have a look at the other National Geographic exhibits while you're there.  |