100 million years ago, the Sahara Desert was inhabited by crocodiles that could run like athletes

Fossil hunters have made an astonishing discovery in the Sahara desert: the remains of ancient crocodiles that roamed the land and dominated the rivers of North Africa millions of years ago.

Led by renowned paleontologist Paul Sereno, excavations in the 1990s revealed the fossilized skeleton of a primitive crocodile. Among these fossils is the impressive Sarcosuchus giant crocodile , SuperCroc. While fragments of this giant creature were found in 1966, Sereno's team unearthed several skeletons dating back 110 million years in Niger.

SuperCroc can run at speeds of up to 32km/h over short distances. This speed is equivalent to the running speed of an Olympic-level sprinter. However, this speed can only be maintained for a short time. After about 100 meters, the SuperCroc's speed will decrease to about 16 km/h.

SuperCroc can run fast thanks to its special body structure . The SuperCroc's neck is short and strong, allowing it to move its head quickly and create powerful thrusts. SuperCroc's legs are also very strong and have sharp claws, helping it grip the ground when running. In addition, SuperCroc also has a long and thick tail, helping it maintain balance and navigation when moving at high speed.

Thanks to its speed and strength, SuperCroc can easily catch up with prey on land. However, SuperCroc is still an animal that lives mainly in water. Therefore, its running ability is not used as often as its swimming ability.

These discoveries shed light on the diverse and fascinating ecosystems of ancient North Africa, where crocodiles thrived in the water and roamed the land with incredible size and strength.

And after returning to the Sahara desert many times, Sereno made amazing discoveries, revealing the lost world of ancient crocodiles. These creatures, some of which resemble modern-day animals, provide insight into the diverse wildlife that once thrived in North Africa.

Among Sereno's discoveries is the DogCroc (Araripesuchus wegeneri) , an ancient crocodile that bears a surprising resemblance to dogs in both appearance and behavior. With its tall legs and keen sense of smell, this crocodile navigates its surroundings like modern-day dogs.

Araripesuchus wegeneri was relatively small in size compared to modern crocodiles, with an average body length of about 80 cm, which could reach 1 meter. This crocodile has a long and narrow snout, similar to a dog's, a distinguishing feature that has earned it the nickname "Crocodile Dog". This long snout helps Araripesuchus wegeneri adapt to hunting on land.

Araripesuchus wegeneri's legs are long and strong, helping it move quickly on land. The feet have sharp claws, which help it grip the ground when running. Araripesuchus wegeneri is believed to have been carnivorous, with a diet consisting of small terrestrial animals such as lizards, small mammals, and insects. Its long and narrow snout, along with its ability to move quickly on land, helps it hunt effectively.

Araripesuchus wegeneri, also known as the "Crocodile Dog" , is a species of prehistoric crocodile belonging to the family Notosuchidae, which lived on Earth during the Cretaceous period (about 130-100 million years ago).

Another fascinating discovery is the terrestrial DuckCroc (Anatosuchus). About 3 feet long, this crocodile has physical features reminiscent of the platypus, adapting to life on land rather than exclusively in water.

Anatosuchus was relatively small compared to modern crocodiles, with an average body length of about 1 meter. They have a long and narrow skull, with a flat and broad snout. This snout is thought to be adapted to a mostly plant-based diet.

Anatosuchus is believed to have been omnivorous, with a diet that included both plants and animals. Its flat and wide snout, along with small, sharp teeth, help it adapt to eating leaves, fruits and seeds. However, it can also eat insects, small mammals, and lizards.

Anatosuchus, also known as the "Duck Crocodile" , is a genus of prehistoric crocodiles belonging to the family Rauisuchidae, which inhabited Earth during the Triassic period (about 252-201 million years ago).

In addition, Sereno also unearthed the RatCroc (Araripesuchus rattoides), a tiny crocodile only 2 feet long. This terrestrial species has incisors specially adapted for burrowing and catching insects, showing the diverse adaptations of ancient crocodiles.

Araripesuchus rattoides has a long, narrow snout, similar to a dog's. This snout helps it adapt to hunting on land. Its eyes are large and located high on its head, giving it better vision when moving and hunting. They are believed to be carnivorous, with a diet consisting of small terrestrial animals such as lizards, small mammals, and insects. Its long and narrow snout, along with its ability to move quickly on land, helps it hunt effectively.

Araripesuchus rattoides, also known as the "Rat Crocodile" , is a species of prehistoric crocodile belonging to the family Notosuchidae, which lived on Earth during the Cretaceous period (about 130-100 million years ago).

Many of these ancient crocodile species display distinct behaviors and lifestyles compared to modern crocodiles. Unlike today's crocodiles, which use a passive hunting strategy, these ancient crocodiles were more agile, active, and possibly even more intelligent. Their hunting techniques required more intelligence, suggesting a higher level of intelligence than today's crocodiles.