CRETACEOUS AFRICA SUPER CROC

Sarcosuchus imperator

An impressive Super Croc tooth and scute from Sarcosuchus imperator, an extinct genus of giant crocodile-like reptiles that lived in the rivers of an ancient tropical plain in the Sahara of Africa during the Lower Cretaceous.

Sarcosuchus were ambush hunters, eating anything that entered their watery homes from wee fish to large dinosaurs. These big beasties were the precursors to our modern crocodiles -- and they were big. Really big. 

Almost twice as large as their modern saltwater cousins, weighing in at 8-10 tons. They lived 50-60 years. Modern Saltwater & Nile crocodiles live 70-100 years on average. This scute and tooth are from the Elrhaz Formation, Gadoufaoua, Ténéré Desert, Niger. Photo care of the deeply awesome Andy Chua.