Images Dated 2013

Deinosuchus Illustrastration

Deinosuchus
83?72 million years ago, Deinosuchus was the largest predator in North America. Deinosuchus
Deinosuchus riograndensis, an extinct giant relative of alligators, was the undisputed top predator in the rivers and estuaries along the east coast of southern Laramidia ? a huge island that formed when the rising sea divided North America into several continental islands. From fossil remains it has been estimated to have grown to about 11 metres in length and weigh 6?7 tonnes, by far exceeding any modern alligator or crocodile. It was twice as heavy as the largest tyrannosaurs of its time and, as suggested by bite marks preserved on fossil bones, it preyed on dinosaurs. At this time there were also smaller-sized Deinosuchus, which may be of a different species, living along the southern and eastern coast of the island called Appalachia. The evidence that this Appalachian population commonly preyed on turtles include bite marks preserved on fossil turtle bones

© WA Museum