TLDR: The Cretaceous period’s Dinosuchus, a giant crocodilian, rivaled dinosaurs in size, had a powerful bite, and dominated diverse habitats across North America.
This article is a summary of a You Tube video “The Largest Predator During The Cretaceous Wasn’t A Dinosaur?” by ExtinctZoo
Key Takeaways:
- Cretaceous Era Giants: The Cretaceous period is noted for producing some of the largest terrestrial animals and predators, including massive dinosaurs.
- Non-Dinosaur Giants: Besides dinosaurs, this era saw the growth of other large creatures like flying reptiles, marine lizards, and oversized crocodilians.
- Dinosuchus Discovery: In the 1850s, large teeth found in North Carolina led to the discovery of Dinosuchus, initially misidentified as belonging to a pliosaur.
- Misestimations and Revisions: Early estimates exaggerated Dinosuchus’ size, but it still remains recognized as a lineage of giant crocodilians.
- Dinosuchus Species Variations: Four known species of Dinosuchus include Hatcheri, Rugosus, Rio Grand Denis, and Trumer, with varying sizes.
- Size and Weight: Dinosuchus averaged 26 to 33 feet in length and weighed between 2.5 to 5 tons, with the largest estimates reaching up to 39 feet and 8.5 tons.
- Skull Characteristics: Dinosuchus had a large, dense, and robust skull, with teeth the size of bananas, indicating a powerful bite.
- Diet and Hunting: It likely preyed on large dinosaurs like hadrosaurs and utilized ambush tactics, with a bite force potentially exceeding that of a T-Rex.
- Habitat and Range: Dinosuchus had an extensive range across the United States and Northern Mexico, inhabiting diverse environments including estuaries and rivers.
- Extinction and Legacy: The reasons for Dinosuchus’ extinction remain unclear, and it vanished approximately 73 million years ago, leaving a significant mark in paleontological history.
