9-Ft Long Croc Ancestor 'Carolina Butcher' Discovered In North Carolina

Scientists have discovered the fossils of a huge 3-metre-long crocodile ancestor, believed to have lived about 231 million years ago. The massive 5-foot-tall croc walked on its hind legs and was at the top predator in the food chain before the first dinosaurs appeared on earth.

The specimens of the croc was discovered nearly 10 years ago in the Pekin formation. The fossils were found to be hidden in the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences before they were discovered by a researcher working in the museum.

Upon further research on the skull, it was discovered that the giant croc, Carnufex carolinensis (nicknamed as Caroline Butcher) dates back to the Triassic Period. The research also revealed that the prehistoric creature had a slender and long skull with dozens of terrifying blade-like teeth.

"For all practical purposes, this was an animal skillfully adapted for slicing flesh from the bones of its victims," said the lead researcher Lindsay Zanno, reported Discovery News.

Carnufex belongs to Crocodylomorphs, a broad category of early reptiles. The massive terrestrial predator is believed to be one of the most primitive and oldest Crocodylomorph. The appearance of the first dinosaur in the Triassic period as a modest creature is said to have happened after the appearance of the Carnufex crocs.

“Until we deciphered the story behind Carnufex, it wasn’t clear that early crocodile ancestors were among those vying for top predator roles prior to the reign of dinosaurs in North America,” she continued.

The research has been published in the journal Scientific Reports.

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