Page 107 - Prehistoric Animals

Proto-Such-Us

Protosuchus

Protosuchus (first croco-
dile) is an extinct genus of car-
nivorous crocodylomorph that
roamed the planet in the Early
Jurassic, around 200 to 174
million years ago. It was about 1
metre in length and weighed in
at about 40 kilograms.

Protosuchus belongs to a group of reptiles believed to
be the ancestors of modern day crocodiles. Although there
are many similarities to the modern crocodiles found in the
fossilized remains of Protosuchus, there are some differ-
ences. For instance, it does not have the long pointed jaws of
the crocodile; its jaws are short and snub-shaped. Its long
teeth, however, are similar; when the jaws are closed one set
of long teeth slides neatly into notches on the other jaw. It
had feet with five-toes, similar to the crocodiles, but it had
much longer legs and its eyes were positioned on the side of
its head; two features common to land predators. The croco-
dile, on the other hand, had much shorter legs design for
stealthy movement through water and its eyes are positioned
on the top of its head. The position of it eyes allows the croc-
odile, with only its eyes above the water, to sneak up unseen
on any animal dallying at the water’s edge and snatching and
dragging it underwater.

Protosuchus had a scaly body and bony plates run-
ning down the full length of its back. It had a powerful tail
and the fossil record show it had a powerful set of jaws; all
features common in the crocodiles of today. However,
whereas, the crocodile seems much more at home hunting in
water, Protosuchus was clearly a terrestrial animal and
much more at home as a land predator.

Protosuchus has an important place in the fossil rec-
ords as it’s believed to be the first recognised ancestor of the
modern day crocodile. It was first named by, Barnum Brown
in 1934, Archaeosuchus. This name had to be change to Pro-
tosuchus after he discovered his first choice was already in
use.