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|range = [[Africa]] <br> [[South America]] |
|range = [[Africa]] <br> [[South America]] |
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|time = [[Cretaceous]] <br> 121 to 93mya |
|time = [[Cretaceous]] <br> 121 to 93mya |
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| − | |appearances = ''[[Chased by Dinosaurs]]'': [[Land of Giants (CBD)|Land of Giants]]}} |
+ | |appearances = ''[[Chased by Dinosaurs]]'': [[Land of Giants (CBD)|Land of Giants]]}}{{Quote|It's not a [[crocodile]], even though it looks like one.|''[[Chased by Dinosaurs]]'': [[Land of Giants (CBD)|Land of Giants]]}} |
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| − | {{Quote|It's not a [[crocodile]], even though it looks like one.|''[[Chased by Dinosaurs]]'': [[Land of Giants (CBD)|Land of Giants]]}} |
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==Physical appearance and biology== |
==Physical appearance and biology== |
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''Sarcosuchus'' was a large crocodilian that resembled the modern gharial. It possessed a long, narrow pair of jaws with a large bulla by the snout. |
''Sarcosuchus'' was a large crocodilian that resembled the modern gharial. It possessed a long, narrow pair of jaws with a large bulla by the snout. |
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==Behaviour and traits== |
==Behaviour and traits== |
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[[File:CBD1x2 Sarcosuchus 2.jpg|260px|thumb|left|A ''Sarcosuchus'' narrowly missing Nigel Marven. ([[Land of Giants (CBD)|Land of Giants]])]] |
[[File:CBD1x2 Sarcosuchus 2.jpg|260px|thumb|left|A ''Sarcosuchus'' narrowly missing Nigel Marven. ([[Land of Giants (CBD)|Land of Giants]])]] |
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| − | ''Sarcosuchus'' was a massive crocodilian - one of the largest ever. Because of its titanic size |
+ | ''Sarcosuchus'' was a massive crocodilian - one of the largest ever. Because of its titanic size, it was able to hunt the land-dwelling [[dinosaur]]s. |
''Sarcosuchus'' hunted by waiting in the water until an animal strayed too close. Then, the croc would erupt from the water and snap its jaw at it. However, if the prey is slow-moving and it was moving away, the ''Sarcosuchus'' could pursue it temporarily. |
''Sarcosuchus'' hunted by waiting in the water until an animal strayed too close. Then, the croc would erupt from the water and snap its jaw at it. However, if the prey is slow-moving and it was moving away, the ''Sarcosuchus'' could pursue it temporarily. |
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As Nigel quickly backed away again, the ''Sarcosuchus'' followed and came onto dry land. As it snapped its huge jaws at Nigel, Nigel continued to move away. Then, the ''Sarcosuchus'' paused and basked on the bank of the lake. |
As Nigel quickly backed away again, the ''Sarcosuchus'' followed and came onto dry land. As it snapped its huge jaws at Nigel, Nigel continued to move away. Then, the ''Sarcosuchus'' paused and basked on the bank of the lake. |
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[[File:CBD1x2 Sarcosuchus 41.jpg|260px|thumb|left|A ''Sarcosuchus'' basking on a river bank as a large head of ''Argentinosaurus'' approaches. ([[Land of Giants (CBD)|Land of Giants]])]] |
[[File:CBD1x2 Sarcosuchus 41.jpg|260px|thumb|left|A ''Sarcosuchus'' basking on a river bank as a large head of ''Argentinosaurus'' approaches. ([[Land of Giants (CBD)|Land of Giants]])]] |
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| − | Nigel then approached the animal whilst wearing a headcam with his stick. Recording footage of the '' |
+ | Nigel then approached the animal whilst wearing a headcam with his stick. Recording footage of the ''Sarcosuchus''' gaping mouth, he positioned the stick in its mouth but suddenly, the ''Sarcosuchus'' snapped the stick in two with its jaws. As Nigel scampered away, the ''Sarcosuchus'' nearly caught him but Nigel was too fast for it. The ''Sarcosuchus'' then retreated to the lake. |
Days later, during the annual ''Argentinosaurus'' migration to the egg laying site, the ''Sarcosuchus'' was seen basking on the bank. However, the presence on the ''Argentinosaurus'' caused it to retreat to the water. Later, when Nigel was watching the ''Argentinosaurus'' lay their eggs, the ''Sarcosuchus'' lumbered out of the water and attacked Nigel and the cameraman. |
Days later, during the annual ''Argentinosaurus'' migration to the egg laying site, the ''Sarcosuchus'' was seen basking on the bank. However, the presence on the ''Argentinosaurus'' caused it to retreat to the water. Later, when Nigel was watching the ''Argentinosaurus'' lay their eggs, the ''Sarcosuchus'' lumbered out of the water and attacked Nigel and the cameraman. |
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Revision as of 11:38, 25 May 2014
| “ | It's not a crocodile, even though it looks like one. | ” |
Sarcosuchus was a large crocodilian from the Cretaceous. It was one of the largest crocodilians to ever exist.
Physical appearance and biology
Sarcosuchus was a large crocodilian that resembled the modern gharial. It possessed a long, narrow pair of jaws with a large bulla by the snout.
Like most crocodilians, Sarcosuchus had short legs which were splayed out.
Sarcosuchus had a large body which was covered in brown, thick scales as well as a long, flat tail.
Behaviour and traits
A Sarcosuchus narrowly missing Nigel Marven. (Land of Giants)
Sarcosuchus was a massive crocodilian - one of the largest ever. Because of its titanic size, it was able to hunt the land-dwelling dinosaurs.
Sarcosuchus hunted by waiting in the water until an animal strayed too close. Then, the croc would erupt from the water and snap its jaw at it. However, if the prey is slow-moving and it was moving away, the Sarcosuchus could pursue it temporarily.
Sarcosuchus would often bask on the river bank. However, if a large animal - say, an Argentinosaurus - approached it, it would retreat to the safety of the water.
In Chased by Dinosaurs
102. Land of Giants
Nigel Marven with a stick, hovering it in the mouth of a Sarcosuchus. (Land of Giants)
As Nigel Marven observed an adolescent female Argentinosaurus walking past a lake, a Sarcosuchus lunged out of the water and narrowly missed him. Nigel retreated to safety but then decided to perform an experiment on the Sarcosuchus.
With a stick in hand, he frequently splashed the water, hoping that the Sarcosuchus would sense the vibrations. As Nigel spotted the head of Sarcosuchus peering out of the water, he momentarily paused and backed away. After the Sarcosuchus disappeared from view, Nigel began splashing again. But then, the Sarcosuchus reappeared, dangerously close to Nigel.
As Nigel quickly backed away again, the Sarcosuchus followed and came onto dry land. As it snapped its huge jaws at Nigel, Nigel continued to move away. Then, the Sarcosuchus paused and basked on the bank of the lake.
A Sarcosuchus basking on a river bank as a large head of Argentinosaurus approaches. (Land of Giants)
Nigel then approached the animal whilst wearing a headcam with his stick. Recording footage of the Sarcosuchus' gaping mouth, he positioned the stick in its mouth but suddenly, the Sarcosuchus snapped the stick in two with its jaws. As Nigel scampered away, the Sarcosuchus nearly caught him but Nigel was too fast for it. The Sarcosuchus then retreated to the lake.
Days later, during the annual Argentinosaurus migration to the egg laying site, the Sarcosuchus was seen basking on the bank. However, the presence on the Argentinosaurus caused it to retreat to the water. Later, when Nigel was watching the Argentinosaurus lay their eggs, the Sarcosuchus lumbered out of the water and attacked Nigel and the cameraman.
Image gallery
- Main article: Sarcosuchus/Gallery
Behind the scenes
List of appearances
- Chased by Dinosaurs
- 102. Land of Giants
- Sea Monsters: Prehistoric Predators of the Deep
- The Complete Guide to Prehistoric Life