National Geographic announced the discovery of ancient crocodiles that wandered the earth during the era of the dinosaurs. The giant T-Rex ruled the land, but it may be that the giant crocs were a predator that the dinosaurs feared and tangled with. The giant , ancient crocs were featured in the November 21, 2009 debut of “When Crocs Ate Dinosaurs,” on National Geographic Channel.
National Geographic Announced Discovery of Ancient Crocs
National Geographic announced the discovery of five ancient crocs on November 19, 2009, two days before the premiere of the Expedition Week program “When Crocs Ate Dinosaurs. National Geographic Explorer - in - Residence Paul Sereno described one croc with teeth that had teeth that were like boar tusks. Another croc had a snout shaped like a duck's bill. The crocs were powerfully built and could have preyed on the dinosaurs that roamed the land in the prehistoric era.
The National Geographic website lists the working names for the newly discovered crocs, including Duck Croc, Dog Croc, Pancakes Croc, Rat Croc and Super Croc.
Crocodile Bones Being Studied to Tell Story of Prehistoric Era
Dr. Paul Sereno, of National Geographic, uses the discovery of prehistoric crocodile bones to bring the ancient creatures to life, with a goal of telling their unknown story.
The giant crocodiles were able to gallop across the land, swim in the water and ambush prey at the river's edge. The crocodiles may have evolved into the modern crocodile, although that has not been proven. It is also possible that the giant crocs became extinct along with the dinosaurs and that the current crocodiles were not evolved from the ancient crocodiles.
The crocodiles were compared to dogs in the way they may have looked and walked. Like today's crocodiles, the ancient crocs had long and powerfully build heads, but the legs were bigger and heavier. They walked across land on short, strong legs. According to the video on the National Geographic website, the crocs were able to lounge in the water and wait for prey or were able to gallop across land in fast pursuit of their prey.
The discovery of the giant, ancient crocodiles is an important finding for scientists and for people who have the desire to know more about the world around them. The discovery of the crocodiles that may have preyed on powerful dinosaurs changes the perception that the mighty dinosaurs were unchallenged in their domination of the earth during the prehistoric era. Scientists are now at work trying to learn the secrets of the ancient crocodiles.
National Geographic Expedition Week
When Crocs Ate Dinosaurs is one of seven episodes that were part of Expedition Week on National Geographic Channel. The Expedition Week programs have explored topics such as shrinking heads, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy (JFK), Hunt for the Samurai Subs, Mars: Making of the New Earth,
National Geographic Channel is on cable television and satelite TV.
