Knowra Deinosuchus Deinosuchus Deinosuchus is an extinct genus of giant alligatoroid crocodilians that lived in North America during the Late Cretaceous. Its size and powerful jaws made it one of the era’s largest predators.
Alligatoroidea : Alligatoroidea is a group of crocodilians that includes alligators, caimans, and their extinct relatives. Deinosuchus belongs to this broader crocodilian group, despite its resemblance to modern crocodiles.
Crocodilian skull : A crocodilian skull is a long, reinforced bone structure bearing powerful jaw muscles and conical teeth. Deinosuchus had a massive skull built to withstand strong biting forces.
Deinosuchus riograndensis : Deinosuchus riograndensis is a named species of Deinosuchus known from fossils in the southwestern United States. Its remains are among the material used to characterize the genus in the western part of its range.
Hadrosauridae : Hadrosauridae is a family of herbivorous, often duck-billed dinosaurs that flourished during the Late Cretaceous. Hadrosaur bones bearing possible bite marks have been linked to Deinosuchus predation.
Crocodylia : Crocodylia is the order of living crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gharials and their closest fossil relatives. This wider lineage provides the evolutionary context for Deinosuchus.
Crocodilian bite force : Crocodilian bite force is the compressive force generated when a crocodilian closes its jaws. Its robust jaws indicate that biting power was central to Deinosuchus feeding.
Deinosuchus hatcheri : Deinosuchus hatcheri is a species named from fossil material found in western North America. This species represents western fossils once assigned to a separate Deinosuchus species.
Ankylosauria : Ankylosauria is a group of armored herbivorous dinosaurs with low bodies and protective armor. Fossils with marks attributed to Deinosuchus suggest it may have attacked heavily armored dinosaurs.
Late Cretaceous : The Late Cretaceous is the final epoch of the Cretaceous Period, spanning roughly 100.5 to 66 million years ago. Deinosuchus lived during this interval, before the end-Cretaceous mass extinction.
Ambush predation : Ambush predation is a hunting strategy in which a predator waits concealed before striking nearby prey. A semiaquatic lifestyle would have allowed Deinosuchus to attack animals near shorelines.
Show all 20