Discovered a prehistoric crocodile species in Thailand

Paleontological researchers in Thailand said they have discovered a new crocodile species that lived 100 million years ago after identifying fossils found in northeastern Thailand.

Fossils of Khoratosuchus jintasakuli crocodile species. (Photo Ctv)

Komsorn Lauprasert , a scientist at Mahasarakham University, said the crocodile might have lived 100 million years ago in the Cretaceous period and has longer legs than the current crocodile legs. Based on the characteristics of their teeth, the researchers believe that prehistoric crocodiles often eat fish.

" They used to live on land and can run very fast, " said Komsorn, who has noticed skull fossils in the museum since the summer of 2006. The original fossils, 15cm long, were excavated in Nakhon Rathchasima province (also called Korat) but were not identified as a separate species.

Thai scientists named the newly discovered crocodile " Khoratosuchus jintasakuli " "from the name Korat province - where fossils were found and the name of the director of Northeastern Research Institute Petrified Wood and Mineral Resources. - Mr. Pratueng Jintasakul.

Northeast Thailand has become an important area for paleontology in recent decades. French and Thai scientists began conducting joint research in the area since 1980 after a uranium geologist found a piece of dinosaur thigh bone in the late 1970s.