Ancient Croc Relative Unearthed | Science News

Scientists uncovered a 80-year-old fossil that turned out to be a brand-new ancient predator, Eosphorosuchus lacrimosa, a 210-million-year-old hunter from what’s now New Mexico. About the size of a jackal, it sported a reinforced skull and powerful jaws built for big prey. Found alongside another croc relative, Hesperosuchus agilis, the duo likely perished together in a flash flood — offering a rare glimpse of ancient predators competing for food. CT scans revealed unique features proving it’s a distinct species, showing early croc relatives were already evolving specialized diets. This forgotten fossil reshapes our understanding of the late Triassic, proving even old museum specimens can unlock secrets of how today’s animals evolved. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/c4b896b2aeb79c53