Size & Appearance
How long could Deinosuchus grow?
About 35+ feet long
What type of predator was Deinosuchus?
An apex predator
When did Deinosuchus live?
About 75 million years ago (Late Cretaceous)
What does the name “Deinosuchus” mean?
“Terrible crocodile”
Where were the first fossils found?
North Carolina
How heavy was Deinosuchus?
Over 5 tons
What did it eat?
Dinosaurs, fish, turtles, and other animals
Where did it live?
North America
Was it bigger than modern crocodiles?
Yes—much larger
What kind of fossils were first discovered?
Teeth
What made its teeth special?
Large, strong teeth (up to ~6 inches) for crushing prey
How did it hunt?
Ambush from water like modern crocodiles
What type of environment did it live in?
Swamps, rivers, and coastal wetlands
What size object is it often compared to?
A school bus
What scientists study Deinosuchus?
Paleontologists
What modern animal did it resemble?
A giant crocodile/alligator
What evidence proves it ate dinosaurs?
Bite marks on dinosaur bones
What major geographic feature split North America then?
The Western Interior Seaway
What kind of teeth did it have?
Thick, crushing teeth
Why is it hard to study Deinosuchus?
Fossils are incomplete
What covered its back for protection?
Thick bony armor (osteoderms)
Where would it attack prey?
At the water’s edge
What famous park has its fossils?
Big Bend National Park
What role did it play in its ecosystem?
Top predator (even over dinosaurs in some areas)
What helped scientists understand its diet?
Fossils with bite marks and evidence of feeding