Peru announces crocodile fossil dating back more than 10 million years

Crocodile fossils were discovered in the Ocucaje Desert of Peru.

Ancient Peruvian crocodile fossil. (Photo: Reuters).

Paleontologist Mario Gamarra of the Peruvian government's Geological Institute said the fossil was a juvenile gharial measuring 3-4m (10-13ft) long. Adults of the species can grow to 8-9m (26-30ft). This is the first time scientists have found a fossil of a juvenile crocodile.

'The gharial no longer exists in Peru,' said paleontologist Mario Gamarra . 'In fact, it no longer exists in the entire American continent. The only place in the world where the gharial still exists is in Asia, specifically in India. This discovery demonstrates the extent of the geographical expansion of the gharial in the past. It was not limited to Asia, but could also have lived in other parts of the world such as Peru, Colombia, Venezuela.'

The gharial is characterized by its long, slender snout, which was used to catch fish. The discovery of gharial fossils in the Ocucaje Desert sheds light on the evolution of marine crocodiles. The discovery also cements the Ocucaje Desert as an important site for global paleontological research. Previously, the area has yielded fossils of four-legged dwarf whales, dolphins, sharks and other species that lived during the Miocene period - 5 to 23 million years ago.