Friday, February 1, 2008

Crocodile 'Missing Link' Found in Brazil
















From Discovery News:
Brazilian paleontologists Thursday unveiled a fossil of a creature that they said is the "missing link" between prehistoric and present-day crocodiles.

Called Montealtosuchus arrudacamposi, the predator measured 56-64 inches, weighed about 88 pounds and lived in the late Cretaceous Period (80-85 million years ago) in the region of Palo Alto, in Sao Paulo state...

...It lived on dry land and was quick on its feet, instead of living in marshlands and spending most of its time under water, he said.

"Its nostrils were at the front (of its snout). If it went in the water it had to keep its head erect making it an easy target for other predators. Its eyes were placed laterally, like other land-walking animals," Vasconcellos said. Read more

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