Deinosuchus (D. riograndensis, "terrible crocodile") is an extinct crocodilian genus that lived during the Campanian of the Late Cretaceous period, in what is now North America.
Deinosuchus was one of the largest crocodiles that ever existed, along with Sarcosuchus, with a length that could reach 10-12 meters and a weight of up to 10 tons. Its huge jaws were equipped with sharp, pointy teeth, allowing it to hunt large prey such as dinosaurs, turtles, and other marine reptiles that lurked in the brackish waters of estuaries.
Deinosuchus grew about 30 cm a year, that is, with the same speed as modern crocodiles, but for a longer period of time than the latter. Only two skulls are known, measuring about 2 meters long, so total length estimates are based on them.
Although impressive in size and ferocity, Deinosuchus was also a highly intelligent animal. It had a relatively large brain compared to other crocodiles, allowing it to perform more complex tasks and adapt to its changing environment. It is also believed that it was a social animal, and could live in groups.
Deinosuchus went extinct along with the dinosaurs about 66 million years ago, probably as a result of a catastrophic event, such as a meteorite hitting Earth. However, its legacy lives on today through its modern relatives, such as crocodiles and alligators.
The Model Pose represents a Deinosuchus specimen walking with part of one of its prey.
Approximate measurements of the Deinosuchus:
- Scale 1:72 - 147 mm long
- Scale 1:35 - 300 mm long
