Crocodiles of today measure up to 17 feet (5.2 meters) in length and weigh up to 1,146 pounds (520 kilograms). They are among the most dangerous animals on Earth.
But one of its older relatives was considerably less terrifying, measuring only 2.3–2.9 feet (70–90 centimeters) in length and weighing only 2.2–4.4 pounds (1–2kg).
A new study reveals that this small crocodile, Trilophosuchus rackhami, frequented the forests of northwestern Queensland 13.5 million years ago.
This crocodile has a small snout and three distinct ridges on the top of its skull, according to Jorgo Ristevski, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Queensland and the study’s author.
The crocodile was discovered in 1993 and named Trilophosuchus rackhami in honor of Alan Rackham, manager of the Riversleigh Fossil Discovery Centre in Mount Isa.
In the study, researchers employed cutting-edge technology to scan the extinct crocodile’s skull, revealing previously unknown anatomical characteristics.
Mr. Ristevski explained, “By micro-CT scanning the exquisitely preserved cranium, we were able to digitally isolate each bone.”
We predicted that at maturity, Trilophosuchus rackhami would have measured between 70 and 90 centimeters (2.3–2.9 feet) in length and weighed between one and two kilograms (2.2–4.4 pounds), making it considerably smaller than the majority of modern crocodiles.
By examining the crocodile’s brain and nerve system, scientists have begun piecing together key clues about its evolution, morphology, and behavior.
Mr. Ristevski stated, “For one of the investigations, I digitally rebuilt the brain cavity of Trilophosuchus rackhami and discovered that it matches that of several distantly related and maybe extinct terrestrial crocodiles from Africa and South America.”
Evolutionarily speaking, Trilophosuchus rackhami is more closely linked to modern crocodiles than is this specimen.
This may suggest that Trilophosuchus rackhami spent more time on land than other crocodilian species.
The team thinks that the discoveries may aid in the understanding of crocodile evolution.
“Trilophosuchus rackhami was unquestionably one of the cutest,” stated Dr. Steve Salisbury, one of the study’s authors.
If we could travel back in time to north Queensland 13 million years ago, we would not only have to avoid crocodiles at the water’s edge but also in the forest.
