Proterosuchus

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Proterosuchus Fossil range: Early Triassic
Conservation status
Extinct (fossil)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Sauropsida Subclass: Diapsida Infraclass: Archosauromorpha (unranked) Archosauriformes Family: Proterosuchidae Genus: Proterosuchus Broom, 1903

Proterosuchus was a large Triassic reptile equivalent in size to today's Komodo Dragons. It looked somewhat similar to a primitive crocodile, and shared many of their modern features while retaining several of its own unique features such as its long legs, and hooked shaped mouth. This jaw made it near impossible for prey such as Lystrosaurus to escape death once ensnared. Proterosuchus, like most modern crocodiles, was an ambush predator, waiting for its prey to enter the water, at which point they would be attacked from below the surface. Being an ambush predator meant that for the most part Proterosuchus remained in one enviornment for most of its life. This worked as an excellent means of conserving energy, even giving it the capability of surviving for perhaps months at a time without food.

Proterosuchus is an example of an early archosaur, the group which encompasses crocodiles, pterosaurs, dinosaurs, and birds. It has recently been suggested that it could be an ancestor to the crocodilians, a modern group which includes alligators, crocodiles, and gavials.

[edit] Popular culture

Proterosuchus (identified as Chasmatosaur) played a role in the BBC's series Walking with Monsters. It showed them ambushing Lystrosaurus as they crossed a ravine during their annual migration, much like modern crocodiles ambush zebra in Africa today.