Deinosuchus is an extinct genus of alligatorid from
the Upper Cretaceous (Campanian) of North America. It was thought for
several decades to be the largest crocodilian that ever lived.
Deinosuchus is known mainly from skull material, and recent studies
have reduced its estimated length. Some other giant crocodilians,
including Sarcosuchus (the "Super Croc"), Purussaurus and
Rhamphosuchus, were as big or bigger, but accurate comparisons
are difficult as Sarcosuchus is the only species known from a
largely-complete skeleton.
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 m and 12 m (33 ft & 40 ft).
Even at this reduced estimate, Deinosuchus was larger than the
saltwater crocodile of Australia, Southern and Southeast Asia, which is
the biggest living reptile.
The proportions of Deinosuchus are similar to the
skull of today's Nile crocodile, which is a generalist carnivore that
hunts fish, crustaceans, and large mammals, such as wildebeest and
zebra.Deinosuchus probably lurked in rivers and swamps waiting
for prey to come and drink from the waters edge (much like modern
species). It would then have grabbed its prey in its massive jaws,
containing large but somewhat blunt teeth, and then drag it into the
water to drown. Perhaps it would have spun lengthways to tear off chunks
of flesh (the "death roll" behaviour in modern species). It most likely
preyed on fish, dinosaurs (especially the abundant
hadrosaurs of the time), and anything else that strayed too close to
the water.
Deinosuchus specimens have been discovered in
freshwater and
marine
deposits. |
