There was a time when giant dwarf crocodiles were a part of Africa.
Two new species of crocodiles were discovered in east Africa between 18 million and 15 million years ago. There are dwarf crocodiles found in central and west Africa.
The dwarf crocodiles were larger than their modern cousins. The ancient forms of dwarf crocodiles were among the most ferocious threats to any animal they encountered.
According to the study's corresponding author, these were the largest predator our ancestors faced. crocodiles are just as predatory as they were when they were younger. It would have been dangerous for ancient humans to go down to the river for a drink.
There are two new species, Kinyang mabokoensis and Kinyang tchernovi. They had long snouts and big teeth. Modern crocodiles have nostrils that are straight up and to the front. They spent most of their time in the forest.
If you gave them the chance, they would bite your face off if they saw it.
A time when the region was largely blanketed by forests was when Kinyang lived. The two species appeared to die out about 15 million years ago.
Why didn't they come back? Climate change is thought to have led to less rain in the area. The retreat of forests resulted from the reduction in rain. The researchers think that Kinyang preferred wooded regions for hunting and nest building.
Modern dwarf crocodiles are found only in forested wetlands. The crocodiles in the area may have changed due to the loss of habitat.
The rise of the larger bipedal primate that gave rise to modern humans has been linked to the changes in the environment.
The researchers are not able to determine when the Kinyang died out, so further testing is needed. There is a gap in the fossil record of crocodiles that came on to the scene around 7 million years ago. There are relatives of the Nile crocodile found in Africa.
The specimen was examined by Brochu several times since 2007. The study was published in a journal.
More information: Christopher A. Brochu et al, Giant dwarf crocodiles from the Miocene of Kenya and crocodylid faunal dynamics in the late Cenozoic of East Africa, The Anatomical Record (2022). DOI: 10.1002/ar.25005
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