🐊 Discovery of a prehistoric crocodile, even older than dinosaurs

A team of researchers recently uncovered a remarkable fossil in southern Brazil, during excavations conducted in May 2025. This partial skeleton, carefully extracted from the rock, belongs to a new species named Tainrakuasuchus bellator. Aged 240 million years, this carnivorous reptile measured approximately 8 feet (2.4 meters) long and weighed 132 pounds (60 kilograms). It belongs to the Pseudosuchia group, which includes the ancestors of modern crocodiles, and its discovery has been formally announced in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology.


Tainrakuasuchus bellator possessed a dorsal armor composed of bony plates, similar to those seen in modern crocodiles. Its long neck and tapered jaw, lined with sharp, curved teeth, allowed it to capture and hold its prey effectively. Although it was an active predator, it was not the largest in its ecosystem, where coexisted hunters reaching up to 23 feet (7 meters) in length. Its agile movements and adapted body structure indicate it likely hunted on four legs, exploiting arid environments.

Despite an appearance that might recall that of dinosaurs, Tainrakuasuchus bellator clearly belongs to the pseudosuchian lineage. This diverse group included predators with varied strategies, some specialized in catching fast prey, others more robust. The structure of its pelvis, with distinct hip and femur joints, clearly differentiates it from dinosaurs. This anatomical distinction helps scientists better understand the evolution of reptiles and the richness of Triassic ecosystems, where different species coexisted by occupying specific roles.

The rarity of such fossils makes this discovery particularly important, as it strengthens the connections between the faunas of Brazil and Africa during the Triassic. At that time, the continents formed the supercontinent Pangaea, allowing free dispersal of organisms. Dr. Rodrigo Temp Müller specifies that this find is unusual and that it highlights similarities with related species found in Tanzania, such as Mandasuchus tanyauchen. Thus, the reptile communities of these regions shared a closely linked evolutionary and ecological history.


The name Tainrakuasuchus combines Guarani terms for 'tooth' and 'sharp' with the Greek word for 'crocodile', highlighting its sharp teeth. The epithet 'bellator', meaning 'warrior' in Latin, honors the strength and resilience of the inhabitants of Rio Grande do Sul, who were particularly affected by recent floods. This name symbolizes a fighting spirit, perhaps reflecting the traits of the animal.

This find offers new perspectives on the adaptation and diversification of predators during the Triassic. It reminds us that Earth already harbored elaborate ecosystems well before the heyday of dinosaurs, with interconnections between continents that are now distant. Future explorations could reveal other similar species, contributing to painting a more complete picture of evolutionary history. Thus, each discovery like this brings us a little closer to understanding the origins of life on our planet.

Pseudosuchia: ancestors of crocodiles

Pseudosuchia represent a group of archosaur reptiles that thrived during the Triassic, approximately 250 to 200 million years ago. This lineage includes the direct ancestors of modern crocodilians. Pseudosuchians exhibited a great diversity of forms and sizes, ranging from small agile hunters to large armored predators. Their evolutionary success is explained by adaptations like bony armor and powerful jaws, which allowed them to occupy various ecological niches.

During the Triassic, Pseudosuchia dominated many terrestrial ecosystems, competing with other groups like the early dinosaurs. Their fossils, although rare, reveal distinct anatomical features, such as the structure of the pelvis and limbs, which differentiate them from dinosaurs. For example, hip joints in pseudosuchians are oriented differently, influencing their mode of locomotion. This diversity contributed to the richness of animal communities of the time.


The discovery of species like Tainrakuasuchus bellator helps reconstruct the evolutionary history of Pseudosuchia. These reptiles were adapted to diverse environments, from arid regions to more humid areas. Their gradual decline coincided with the rise of dinosaurs, but their legacy persists in modern crocodilians.

Today, the study of Pseudosuchia often relies on fragmentary fossils, making each new discovery important for refining phylogenetic trees. Technological advances, such as tomography, allow the analysis of internal structures without damaging specimens, continuing to reveal details about their biology and ecology.