Fossilized remains of a large crocodile-like predator that lived 70 million years ago and even hunted dinosaurs were discovered in the plains of Patagonia. Argentine paleontologists discovered a new species of this ancient predator and named it Kostensuchus atrox.
According to researchers, this discovery was made in the mines of the Chorrillo geological formation. At the end of the Cretaceous period, this area was hot and humid, providing a water-rich environment suitable for dinosaurs, early mammals, and other water-dependent living organisms.
The remains are very well preserved: they include the skull, teeth, jaws, and part of the body. This allows scientists to study the structure and lifestyle of the ancient predator in detail. These data also allow scientists to observe which animals dominated Patagonia 70 million years ago.
Researchers estimate that Kostensuchus atrox reached a length of 3.5 meters and a weight of 250 kilograms. Its large teeth and strong jaws allowed it to hunt even medium-sized dinosaurs. This made it one of the most formidable and efficient predators of the late Cretaceous period, reports korrespondent.net.
These fossilized remains of the ancient predator not only provide paleontologists with new opportunities for scientific research, but also significantly enrich our knowledge of history and evolution. This finding increases interest in Patagonia and its rich biological heritage.
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