National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Paul Sereno, enveloped by the jaws of SuperCroc, holds the fossil head of DogCroc. DogCroc, along with four other newly described crocs, lived in the Sahara when the 8-ton SuperCroc did, at a time when dinosaurs ruled. Sereno’s discoveries of the 100-million-year-old crocs were funded in part by the National Geographic Society.
Paleontologist Paul Sereno with his Saharan discoveries — SuperCroc, BoarCroc (upper right), PancakeCroc (lower right), RatCroc, DogCroc and DuckCroc. The fossil crocs were unearthed in a series of expeditions to the Sahara beginning in 2000, supported by the National Geographic Society.
A flesh model of the head of BoarCroc (above) and its actual fossil skull discovered in the Sahara by a team led by paleontologist Paul Sereno, a professor at the University of Chicago. BoarCroc was a 20-foot-long meat-eater with three sets of dagger-shaped fangs. The suite of five crocs will star in a documentary, “When Crocs Ate Dinosaurs,” to premiere at 9 p.m. ET/PT Saturday, Nov. 21, on the National Geographic Channel.
A flesh model of the head of RatCroc (above) and its fossil lower jaw. RatCroc used its pair of buckteeth to dig for food — plants and grubs. Other fossil bones, not pictured, helped flesh out RatCroc’s features.
Photo by Mike Hettwer, courtesy National Geographic A flesh model of the head of PancakeCroc (above) and its fossil lower jaw. PancakeCroc was a fish-eater with a 3-foot-long, pancake-flat skull. It likely rested motionless for hours, its open jaws waiting for prey.
A flesh model of the head of DuckCroc (above) and its fossil skull. DuckCroc had a broad, overhanging snout and long, pointed nose.
A flesh model of the head of DogCroc (above) and its fossil skull. DogCroc had a soft, doglike nose and would have been an agile galloper and swimmer.
University of Chicago Professor Paul Sereno and McGill University Associate Professor Hans Larsson excavate the fossil skull of a 100-million-year-old croc in Niger. The animal, which they nicknamed BoarCroc, was one of several crocs that inhabited a lost world now buried in the sands of the Sahara.
On the cusp of discovery, Paul Sereno, a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, closes in on the remains of “BoarCroc,” a 20-foot-long meat-eater with an armored snout for ramming and three sets of dagger-shaped fangs used for slicing.
Artist’s conception of BoarCroc, a 20-foot-long, upright meat-eater.
Artist’s conception of RatCroc, a 3-foot-long, upright plant- and grub-eater.
Artist’s conception of DogCroc, an agile galloper and capable swimmer.
Artist’s conception of DuckCroc, a 3-foot-long, upright animal with a long nose.
