It was a slow process that began 250 million years ago, in the Triassic period, with the emergence of crocodilotarsians. These animals had a specific joint in the ankle, allowing the paw to move laterally – and which still exists in crocodilians today. In fact, the current 27 species are very similar to each other, with an elongated body, covered with ossified scales (osteoderms), a strong tail and a long snout full of teeth. But in the past, there were hundreds of very different species, many of them arising in the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.
RUN, CROCODILE DUNDEE!
Some of the most impressive species to ever terrorize the planet
BRAZILIAN PREDATOR
SpeciesPurussaurus brasiliensis
WhenBetween 8 and 5 million years ago
Its name derives from the place where it was found, the Purus River, in Acre. It could reach about 15 tons due to the great availability of food: it preyed on giant rodents, the size of a current cow.
DAMN MOUTH
Speciesbaurusuchus albertoi
When90 million years ago
It had eyes facing forward and a very high and developed jaw, with teeth concentrated in the front of the muzzle. This indicates that it gripped its prey very tightly to tear off chunks of flesh.
THE EMPEROR
Species sarcosuchus imperator
When110 million years ago
This super crocodile was found in the Sahara desert. In his time, the region was a rich forest, with large lakes. The children’s diet was probably fish, but adults could prey on large dinosaurs.
UNTIL THE SEA
SpeciesMetriorhynchus superciliosus
When 160 million years ago
Crocodile that has adapted to the marine environment. It had a long, thin snout with many sharp teeth to catch fish and webbing between its toes to facilitate swimming. It was discovered in England
THE FACE OF THE GRANDCHILDREN
SpeciesProtosuchus richardsoni
When200 million years ago
It already had osteoderms, ossified scales, like those of modern crocodiles. But it was smaller and had long, agile legs for walking on land. It was discovered in Arizona, USA
FAST AND FURIOUS
SpeciesPrestosuchus chiniquensis
When230 million years ago
It was the largest predator of its time, feeding on species such as dicynodonts and cynodonts. But it was very agile thanks to its strong paws, with large claws. Fossils were found in São Pedro do Sul (RS)
SPINY RELATIVE
SpeciesDesmatosuchus spurensis
When230 million years ago
Discovered in Texas, USA, this animal is part of a group related to crocodiles, called aelosaurs, now extinct. It was herbivorous and covered in bony plates, with two large spines at shoulder height.
SOURCES Paulo Miranda Nascimento, doctoral student at the paleontology laboratory at the USP Zoology Museum