Deltasuchus motherali grew up to 20 feet long
Scientists have identified a new species of crocodile that lived around 95 million years ago and preyed on everything from turtles to dinosaurs.
Researchers, including those from University of Tennessee in the U.S., found that adults of the Deltasuchus motherali grew up to 20 feet long.
The bones were found in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex in a site in Texas. Deltasuchus is the first of what may prove to be several new species described from this fossil site, researchers said. The area preserves a complete ancient ecosystem ranging from 95 million to 100 million years old, and its fossils are important in advancing the understanding of ancient North American land and freshwater ecosystems.
Scientists have identified a new species of crocodile that lived around 95 million years ago and preyed on everything from turtles to dinosaurs.
Researchers, including those from University of Tennessee in the U.S., found that adults of the Deltasuchus motherali grew up to 20 feet long.
The bones were found in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex in a site in Texas. Deltasuchus is the first of what may prove to be several new species described from this fossil site, researchers said. The area preserves a complete ancient ecosystem ranging from 95 million to 100 million years old, and its fossils are important in advancing the understanding of ancient North American land and freshwater ecosystems.