Saturday, May 05, 2012

No croc - this critter was huge

Crocodylus thorbjarnarsoni

This newly identified species from East Africa might have been the largest of the "true crocodiles" - that is, the largest ever member of the genus Crocodylus.  (The famous "supercroc" belonged in another genus.) Christopher Brochu, the describer, says, . “It may have exceeded 27 feet in length. By comparison, the largest recorded Nile crocodile was less than 21 feet, and most are much smaller. It lived alongside our ancestors, and it probably ate them." It wouldn't even have to chomp or tear a human up - it could have swallowed someone whole.  Crocodiles love it when there's no mess after dinner...

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