Prehistoric Giants: The Megalodon and Its Prehistoric Rivals

While many are familiar with the Megalodon, a much lesser-known fact is that prehistoric times saw some giant crocodiles too.

Did Megalodon Have Prehistoric Rivals?

Yes, there were larger prehistoric relatives of modern alligators and crocodiles. One of the most notable examples is Deinosuchus, a giant crocodilian that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, around 82 to 73 million years ago. Deinosuchus grew up to 33 feet (10 meters) in length and was capable of preying on large dinosaurs like hadrosaurs and possibly smaller theropods.

Another example is Purussaurus, a massive caiman that lived in South America during the Miocene epoch, around 8 million years ago. Estimates suggest it could reach lengths of up to 33 feet (10 meters), making it one of the largest known crocodilians.

Exploring the Giant Crocodile in NYC

If you ever find yourself in New York City, don't miss the opportunity to visit the American Museum of Natural History. There, you can see an impressive model of a giant crocodile, estimated to be 12 meters (40 feet) long. The model displays a skull and some other bones in the Hall of Reptiles.

Other Prehistoric Crocodilians

Actually, there weren't just "the shark" or "the crocodile." A wide variety of extant and extinct species existed over the last two million centuries. Some crocodilians, like Purussaurus, were indeed larger than current species, reaching up to 40 feet in length. Another giant alligator relative, Deinosuchus, was also up to 40 feet long and lived during the same period as the fearsome Tyrannosaurus rex.

The Sarcosuchus, a cousin of modern crocodilians, also grew to similar sizes and lived tens of millions of years before the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event. And, of course, Crocodylus porosus, the saltwater crocodile, is another noteworthy species often mentioned in contemporary contexts.

Conclusion

While the megatoothed shark, Megalodon, is often the focus of attention, the fossil record reveals that there were indeed larger prehistoric crocodiles. These massive aquatic predators played significant roles in their respective ecosystems, each with its unique evolutionary path and habitat. Whether it's the giant Deinosuchus, the Purussaurus, or the mighty Crocodylus porosus, these prehistoric giants continue to fascinate and awe us with their size and complexity.