Sarcosuchus

prehistoric · crocodile · Early Cretaceous · giant predator

Massive ancient croc. Sarcosuchus was one of the largest crocodilians ever to live, even bigger than today's saltwater crocodiles. Its name comes from Ancient Greek words meaning both 'flesh' and 'Sobek,' the Egyptian crocodile god.

Lived in two continents. Sarcosuchus roamed the rivers and waterways of Early Cretaceous North Africa and Brazil, living about 110 million years ago when these regions had warm, wet climates.

Named from skull finds. Scientists first discovered and named Sarcosuchus in 1966 based on an incomplete skull found in Niger, North Africa. Before that, explorers had found smaller fossil pieces in the Sahara Desert.

Found in Brazil too. A Brazilian species called S. hartti was discovered in the 1850s to 1860s but wasn't recognized as Sarcosuchus until 1977. It was smaller than its African cousin.

Best fossils came late. The most complete Sarcosuchus remains weren't discovered until 1997 and 2000, when paleontologist Paul Sereno's team found six new specimens in Africa, including several skulls and bones.