Suchomimus tenerensis is a species of theropod dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 125 to 112 million years ago. Discovered in what is now Niger, Africa, Suchomimus is notable for its specialized adaptations for fishing, setting it apart from other theropods of its time.
This dinosaur belongs to the spinosaurid family, known for its semi-aquatic adaptations and mainly piscivorous diets.
Description of Suchomimus tenerensis:
Suchomimus had an elongated body and a robust structure, reaching a length of approximately 12 meters and an estimated weight of between 2 and 5 tons. Its appearance resembled that of a gigantic crocodile due to its morphological adaptations for fishing.
Characteristics of its skeleton:
Skull:
The skull of Suchomimus was long and narrow, with a shape similar to that of modern crocodiles. It measured approximately 1.2 meters in length.
It had an elongated snout with narrow jaws filled with straight, conical teeth, ideal for catching fish. These teeth were not serrated, suggesting that their diet focused on slippery prey such as fish.
The snout had a "rosquette" at the tip of the upper jaw, an adaptation similar to that seen in modern gharials, possibly used to detect movements in water.
Spine:
The spinal column of Suchomimus included well-developed dorsal and caudal vertebrae. The caudal vertebrae were longer and more robust, giving it a strong, muscular tail that it could have used for swimming.
Along the spine, Suchomimus had elongated structures known as neural spines, although not as developed as in its close relative, Spinosaurus.
Dorsal fins:
Although not as prominent as in Spinosaurus, Suchomimus had elongated neural spines that suggested the presence of a sail or a series of fins along its back. These structures could have served for thermoregulation, display, or energy storage.
Extremities:
The forelimbs of Suchomimus were robust and elongated, with large curved claws on the fingers. These claws were particularly large on the first finger (thumb), indicating that they could have been used to hook and manipulate slippery prey such as fish.
The hind legs were powerful and adapted to support the weight of the body, suggesting that Suchomimus was a bipedal walker on land, although its adaptations also suggest a considerable capacity for swimming.
Shoulder and pelvic girdle:
The pectoral girdle (shoulders) and pelvic girdle (hip) were robust and well developed, providing a solid structure for locomotion both on land and in water.
The pelvis was wide, which helped distribute the weight of the body and support the powerful posterior train.
Fishing adaptations:
Suchomimus' adaptations for aquatic life and fishing are evident in its skull and teeth, as well as its musculature and skeletal structure. Its elongated, narrow skull, along with conical, non-serrated teeth, was ideal for catching fish. Its front limbs with large claws also suggest that it could have effectively caught prey in the water.
Approximate measurements of Suchomimus:
1:10 scale Assembly kit
Length 1150mm
Height 336mm
Width 143mm
Snout-tail length 1200 mm
Includes supports
This dinosaur belongs to the spinosaurid family, known for its semi-aquatic adaptations and mainly piscivorous diets.
Description of Suchomimus tenerensis:
Suchomimus had an elongated body and a robust structure, reaching a length of approximately 12 meters and an estimated weight of between 2 and 5 tons. Its appearance resembled that of a gigantic crocodile due to its morphological adaptations for fishing.
Characteristics of its skeleton:
Skull:
The skull of Suchomimus was long and narrow, with a shape similar to that of modern crocodiles. It measured approximately 1.2 meters in length.
It had an elongated snout with narrow jaws filled with straight, conical teeth, ideal for catching fish. These teeth were not serrated, suggesting that their diet focused on slippery prey such as fish.
The snout had a "rosquette" at the tip of the upper jaw, an adaptation similar to that seen in modern gharials, possibly used to detect movements in water.
Spine:
The spinal column of Suchomimus included well-developed dorsal and caudal vertebrae. The caudal vertebrae were longer and more robust, giving it a strong, muscular tail that it could have used for swimming.
Along the spine, Suchomimus had elongated structures known as neural spines, although not as developed as in its close relative, Spinosaurus.
Dorsal fins:
Although not as prominent as in Spinosaurus, Suchomimus had elongated neural spines that suggested the presence of a sail or a series of fins along its back. These structures could have served for thermoregulation, display, or energy storage.
Extremities:
The forelimbs of Suchomimus were robust and elongated, with large curved claws on the fingers. These claws were particularly large on the first finger (thumb), indicating that they could have been used to hook and manipulate slippery prey such as fish.
The hind legs were powerful and adapted to support the weight of the body, suggesting that Suchomimus was a bipedal walker on land, although its adaptations also suggest a considerable capacity for swimming.
Shoulder and pelvic girdle:
The pectoral girdle (shoulders) and pelvic girdle (hip) were robust and well developed, providing a solid structure for locomotion both on land and in water.
The pelvis was wide, which helped distribute the weight of the body and support the powerful posterior train.
Fishing adaptations:
Suchomimus' adaptations for aquatic life and fishing are evident in its skull and teeth, as well as its musculature and skeletal structure. Its elongated, narrow skull, along with conical, non-serrated teeth, was ideal for catching fish. Its front limbs with large claws also suggest that it could have effectively caught prey in the water.
Approximate measurements of Suchomimus:
1:10 scale Assembly kit
Length 1150mm
Height 336mm
Width 143mm
Snout-tail length 1200 mm
Includes supports
