Ancient crocodiles swim like fish

Fossils of a massive amphibian with crocodile body and fish tail have been unearthed in Oregon, USA. Scientists believe that the body of the organism was moved during geological changes, making it about 8,000 kilometers away from where it died.

The new fossil is the oldest crocodile family found in Oregon and one of the few found in this side of the Pacific Ocean. It was a new species belonging to the Thalattosuchia group living at the same time as the dinosaurs.

The organism that has lived in tropical climates in Asia is around 142-208 million years ago. They represent an important milestone in the early part of evolutionary history, marking the transition from semi-semitransparent living organisms to completely underwater.

Scientists have discovered the body of reptile creatures 182-243 cm long at a rocky mountain in Oregon. They learned that this animal came from Asia due to outstanding physical characteristics, such as how the ribs attached to the body.

(Anh: Nationalgeographic)

The animal has moved to the west, perhaps from Japan thanks to the continental shift. In ancient times, the Pacific Ocean was much larger than it is today and scientists think the movement took place 100 million years ago, before reaching North America.

Like all crocodiles today, creatures have both walking bodies on the ground and under the sea. It has short, fat legs that help them walk easily on the ground and lay eggs. With webbed feet and fishtail, this reptile can also be a good swimmer underwater.

(Anh: Nationalgeographic)

MT