Fossil Crocodile with a Mammal's Smile

Chew on this: A partial skull and jaw of a small crocodile relative that lived 100 million years ago has teeth that are more like a mammal's than a crocodilian's, according to a new study.

While crocodiles' toothy grins typically feature only cone-shaped teeth, this ancient crocodile relative from Morocco had more complex teeth, with specialized shapes that had pits surrounded by multiple pointed ends known as cusps.

High-resolution X-ray computed tomography (CT) scans allowed the scientists to examine the fossil noninvasively and revealed layers of replacement teeth that would've emerged as old teeth were worn down. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) magnified details of wear patterns, which were likely created when the crocs cracked and pulverized the exoskeletons of insect meals.

www.livescience.com/56502-croc…


The crocodilians are so diverse and something interesting. I can't able to pronounce this new crocodile's name properly. See it for yourself.

Some of the extinct animals name are weird and funny. Only one funny name i remember for now is Gooloogongia.