Artist rendering of the Carnufex carolinensis

Yesterday, scientists announced the discovery of a prehistoric crocodile ancestor that roamed North Carolina 231 million years ago. The 9 foot long beast, named Carnufex carolinensis which translates to “Carolina Butcher,” walked around on its hind legs and ate early mammal relatives and other small prey.

The skull, spine and upper forelimb of the huge reptilian ancestor were discovered in North Carolina’s Chatham county, where a geologic formation has churned up numerous prehistoric remains in ancient sediment.

“Fossils from this time period are extremely important to scientists because they record the earliest appearance of crocodylomorphs and theropod dinosaurs, two groups that fist evolved in the Triassic Period yet managed to survive to the present day in the form of crocodiles and birds,” stated Lindsay Zanno, an assistant research professor in the biology department of North Carolina State University.

Scientists theorize that the ancient crocodile and its relatives were among the top predators in the northern and southern hemispheres. When the large predators were extinguished, smaller theropods and crocodylomorphs were left behind.

Source: US News & World Report