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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 = |
+ | |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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| + | {{Featured Article}} |
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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 |
+ | Measuring over 12 meters in length, ''Sarcosuchus'' was a large crocodilian that resembled the modern gharial. It possessed a long, narrow pair of jaws with a large bulb by the snout. |
| − | Like most crocodilians, ''Sarcosuchus'' had short legs which were splayed out. |
+ | Like most crocodilians, ''Sarcosuchus'' had short legs which were splayed out. This limitied ''Sarcosuchus'' mobility on land and so this reptile didn't move far away from the water's edge. |
''Sarcosuchus'' had a large body which was covered in brown, thick scales as well as a long, flat tail. |
''Sarcosuchus'' had a large body which was covered in brown, thick scales as well as a long, flat tail. |
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| + | |||
==Behaviour and traits== |
==Behaviour and traits== |
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| − | ''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'' was a massive crocodilian - one of the largest ever. Because of its titanic size, it was able to hunt the land-dwelling [[dinosaur]]s.[[File:CBD_Sarcosuchus_et_Macrogryphosaure.jpg|thumb|332px|A Sarcosuchus capturing a Macrogryphosaurus]] |
| − | ''Sarcosuchus'' hunted by waiting in the water until an animal strayed too close. Then |
+ | ''Sarcosuchus'' hunted by waiting in the water until an animal strayed too close. Then it would erupt from the water and snap its jaws at the prey animal. Normally, ''Sarcosuchus'' didn't chase its prey if it missed, for it was an ambush predator, yet if the prey is slow-moving and couldn't escape quickly enough from the predator, ''Sarcosuchus'' would pursue it for a while more. |
''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. |
''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. |
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==In ''[[Chased by Dinosaurs]]''== |
==In ''[[Chased by Dinosaurs]]''== |
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| − | === |
+ | ===[[Land of Giants (CBD)|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''. |
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''. |
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| − | 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 |
+ | 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. |
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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. |
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. |
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| − | 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. |
+ | [[File: Size commparison of a sarcosuchus to an argentinosaurus.jpg |thumb|left|218px|A ''Sarcosuchus'' basking in(''[[Chased by Dinosaurs]]'')]] 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== |
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| − | {{gallery}} |
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==Behind the scenes== |
==Behind the scenes== |
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| + | In reality, ''Sarcosuchus'' would have never encountered any of the creatures seen in ''Chased by Dinosaurs'' because it lived and died way before any of them first evolved and it lived in a totally different region of South America. |
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| + | |||
| + | Stock footage of ''Land of Giants'' that included the crocodilian was reused for the episode ''Awesome Ancestors'' of the ''Animal Planet'' series ''The Most Extreme''.<ref>[http://walkingwithdinos.wikia.com/wiki/Sarcosuchus Walking with Dinosaurs Wiki]</ref> |
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===List of appearances=== |
===List of appearances=== |
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*''[[Chased by Dinosaurs]]'' |
*''[[Chased by Dinosaurs]]'' |
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| − | ** |
+ | **[[Land of Giants (CBD)|Land of Giants]] |
| + | *''[[Sea Monsters: Prehistoric Predators of the Deep]]'' |
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*''[[The Complete Guide to Prehistoric Life]]'' |
*''[[The Complete Guide to Prehistoric Life]]'' |
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| + | |||
===Notes and references=== |
===Notes and references=== |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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[[Category:Creatures]] |
[[Category:Creatures]] |
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[[Category:Creatures in Chased by Dinosaurs]] |
[[Category:Creatures in Chased by Dinosaurs]] |
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| + | [[Category:Creatures in Land of Giants (Chased by Dinosaurs)]] |
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| + | [[Category:Creatures from the Cretaceous]] |
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| + | [[Category:Animals]] |
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| + | [[Category:Reptiles]] |
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| + | [[Category:Crocodilians]] |
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| + | [[Category:Carnivorous creatures]] |
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| + | [[Category:Terrestrial creatures]] |
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| + | [[Category:Aquatic creatures]] |
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| + | [[Category:Animals from Africa]] |
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| + | [[Category:Animals from South America]] |
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| + | [[Category:Quadrupedal animals]] |
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| + | [[Category:Killers]] |
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| + | [[Category:Carnivores]] |
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Revision as of 13:39, 5 April 2020
| “ | 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 after “Deinosuchus”.
Physical appearance and biology
Measuring over 12 meters in length, Sarcosuchus was a large crocodilian that resembled the modern gharial. It possessed a long, narrow pair of jaws with a large bulb by the snout.
Like most crocodilians, Sarcosuchus had short legs which were splayed out. This limitied Sarcosuchus mobility on land and so this reptile didn't move far away from the water's edge.
Sarcosuchus had a large body which was covered in brown, thick scales as well as a long, flat tail.
Behaviour and traits
Sarcosuchus was a massive crocodilian - one of the largest ever. Because of its titanic size, it was able to hunt the land-dwelling dinosaurs.
A Sarcosuchus capturing a Macrogryphosaurus
Sarcosuchus hunted by waiting in the water until an animal strayed too close. Then it would erupt from the water and snap its jaws at the prey animal. Normally, Sarcosuchus didn't chase its prey if it missed, for it was an ambush predator, yet if the prey is slow-moving and couldn't escape quickly enough from the predator, Sarcosuchus would pursue it for a while more.
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
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.
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.
A Sarcosuchus basking in(Chased by Dinosaurs)
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.
Behind the scenes
In reality, Sarcosuchus would have never encountered any of the creatures seen in Chased by Dinosaurs because it lived and died way before any of them first evolved and it lived in a totally different region of South America.
Stock footage of Land of Giants that included the crocodilian was reused for the episode Awesome Ancestors of the Animal Planet series The Most Extreme.[1]
List of appearances
- Chased by Dinosaurs
- Sea Monsters: Prehistoric Predators of the Deep
- The Complete Guide to Prehistoric Life