Deinosuchus
From Freepedia
| Deinosuchus
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D. hatcheri (type) |
Deinosuchus ("terrible crocodile") is an extinct crocodile from the late Cretaceous of North America that for decades was known as the largest crocodile that ever lived. Deinosuchus is known primarily from skull material, and recent studies have reduced its projected length. A number of other giant crocodiles, including Sarcosuchus (the "SuperCroc"), Purussaurus and Rhamphosuchus, may now exceed it in size, though comparison is difficult because only the SuperCroc is known from a largely-complete skeleton.
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Size
The skull of Deinosuchus measures more than 2 m (6 ft 7 in) from front to back and has a broad rather than narrow snout. Recent studies have reduced the estimate of the animal's total length from more than 15 m (50 ft) to between 10 and 12 m (33 & 40 ft). Even at this reduced estimate, Deinosuchus is much larger than the saltwater crocodile, of Australia, and Southern and Southeast Asia, which is the biggest living reptile.
Diet and habitat
The proportions of Deinouchus are similar to the skull of today's Nile crocodile, which specializes in hunting fish but also readily preys on large animals like the antelope and zebra.
Deinosuchus probably lurked in rivers or swamps, waiting for prey to come and drink from the water's edge. It would grab the victim in its massive jaws, studded with long but not especially sharp teeth, and then drag it into the water to drown, or perhaps spin around lengthwise like a top, to tear of chunks of flesh (the "death roll"). Its prey probably included dinosaurs, large fish, and swimming reptiles.
Deinosuchus has been discovered in both freshwater and marine deposits.
Discovery and classification
The type species, Deinosuchus hatcheri was discovered by Holland at Willow Creek, Montana, in the Judith River Formation. Material from Big Bend National Park in Texas was originally assigned to the Phobosuchus genus in 1954 by Colbert and Bird, but is now assigned to a Deinosuchus species, D. riograndensis. Specimens have also been found in Alabama, Georgia, New Jersey, and North Carolina.
Originally classified in the Crocodylidae family, a better skull specimen indicates it is most likely a basal alligator in the superfamily Alligatoroidea.
References
- Tracy Ford. February 10, 1998. "Deinosuchus list". Dinosaur Mailing List.
