New species of crocodile revealed
The three newly revealed species are ancestors of modern day crocodiles
A fearsome 20ft crocodile equipped with three sets of fangs that existed in northern Africa millions of years ago is one of three species revealed by researchers this week.
The pre-historic animal was unveiled by Paul Sereno of the University of Chicago and Hans Larsson of McGill University in Montreal unveiled. The scientists also produced evidence of a 3ft crocodile relative with buckteeth who fed on plants in the same region, and a large reptile with a wide, flat snout like a pancake.
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Dr Sereno, speaking about the animals who lived on the southern continent known as Gondwana, said: "These species open a window on a croc world completely foreign to what was living on northern continents."
Researchers believe that the animals could dive into the water that existed in the region and swim as well as pursuing prey across the landscape on foot.
"My African crocs appeared to have had both upright, agile legs for bounding overland and a versatile tail for paddling in water," Dr Sereno said. "Their amphibious talents in the past may be the key to understanding how they flourished in, and ultimately survived, the dinosaur era."
