🐊 The "dinosaur killer" now on display

Visitors to a museum in Georgia (USA) now have the opportunity to come face-to-face with a predator so formidable that it preyed on dinosaurs.

The animal in question is Deinosuchus schwimmeri, a giant crocodilian that lived in the eastern United States approximately 80 million years ago. Its impressive size, which could reach the length of a bus, made it one of the main hunters in its ecosystem during the Late Cretaceous. Its likely prey included various dinosaurs, earning it the evocative nickname of "dinosaur killer."


The creation of this life-sized skeleton is the result of a collaboration between the Tellus Science Museum and a company specializing in paleontology. For two years, experts worked from high-resolution 3D scans of fossils to build an accurate replica. This technical approach allows for a precise visualization of the creature's anatomy, offering a more complete picture of its appearance and structure.

Behind this project is Dr. David Schwimmer, a researcher whose work spans over forty years. His excavations, funded by institutions like National Geographic, have led to the discovery of numerous fossil specimens. These discoveries are now preserved in renowned museums, and his studies have greatly contributed to the understanding of life during the Late Cretaceous in this region.


For the educators at the Tellus Museum, this replica represents a premier educational tool. It allows visitors, especially school groups, to concretely grasp the scale and presence of these extinct animals. Seeing the creature in person gives a tangible dimension to scientific descriptions, making learning more immersive and memorable.

The official recognition of this species, named in honor of Schwimmer, was formalized in a study published in 2020 in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. This work synthesizes decades of research and confirms the importance of the paleontologist's contributions.

The Late Cretaceous Environment of North America

Approximately 100 to 66 million years ago, the Late Cretaceous period featured a generally warm climate and shallow seas covering part of North America. Coastal regions and flood plains harbored a remarkable diversity of life, including dinosaurs, flying reptiles, and large crocodilians like Deinosuchus. These ecosystems were rich in resources, fostering the emergence of large-sized predators.


The geography of the time was different from today's, with continents separating and a higher sea level. The areas where Deinosuchus lived corresponded to estuary or swamp-like environments, offering both terrestrial and aquatic prey. These habitats allowed such giants to hunt effectively, using water as an element of surprise.

The flora was dominated by flowering plants in full expansion, as well as conifers and ferns. This vegetation provided food and shelter for many herbivores, which in turn attracted predators.

Studying these ancient environments helps us understand how species adapt to climatic and geological changes. Fossils found in these sedimentary deposits reveal details about the climate, water temperature, and even the seasons.