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Dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals:
Sarcosuchus (Flesh Crocodile)

 

Choose a topic: -- Select an option -- What is Sarcosuchus? How big was Sarcosuchus? What did Sarcosuchus eat? Appearance Where did Sarcosuchus live? Interesting facts Which family did Sarcosuchus belong to? How did Sarcosuchus move? Other Cretaceous Creatures

 

Last updated: 7th August 2025

 

What is Sarcosuchus?

 

Sarcosuchus was a gigantic prehistoric reptile that lived millions of years ago. It is not a dinosaur, but a type of ancient crocodyliform, a relative of today’s crocodiles. Its name means "flesh crocodile," which gives a clue to its fearsome nature!

 

 

When and where did Sarcosuchus live?

 

Sarcosuchus lived during the Early Cretaceous period, which was around 133 to 112 million years ago. Fossils of Sarcosuchus have been found in Africa, particularly in regions that are now part of the Sahara Desert, such as Niger and Tunisia.

 

 

How big was Sarcosuchus?

 

Length: Sarcosuchus could grow to about 11–12 metres (36–39 feet) long, making it one of the largest crocodyliforms ever discovered.

Weight: It is estimated to have weighed up to 8 tonnes, roughly as much as a school bus!

 

 

Appearance

 

Sarcosuchus had a long, broad snout packed with over 100 teeth, ideal for catching slippery prey. Its body was covered in tough, armour-like scales, and it had a powerful tail to help it swim. Unlike modern crocodiles, its snout was much longer and broader, giving it a unique look.

 

Sarcosuchus

 

Generative AI Notification: Some elements of this image have been created or enhanced using AI technology. To find out how we create all our dinosaurs, click here.

 

 

What did Sarcosuchus eat?

 

Sarcosuchus was a carnivore, meaning it ate meat. It likely hunted large fish, turtles, and possibly even small dinosaurs or other animals that ventured too close to the water’s edge. Its massive jaws and conical teeth were perfect for gripping and crushing prey.

 

Ouranosaurus flees as a Sarcosuchus lunges from the water in a dramatic prehistoric ambush.

 

 

Interesting facts

 

• Sarcosuchus is sometimes nicknamed the "SuperCroc" because of its incredible size and crocodile-like appearance.
• Its skull could be nearly as long as an adult human is tall!
• Palaeontologists believe Sarcosuchus’s bite was powerful enough to crush the bones of its prey.
• The first fossils were discovered in the 1960s, and more complete remains were found in the late 1990s.

 

Pronounced: sar-ko-SOO-kus Name Means: "Flesh crocodile" Length: Up to 11–12 metres (36–39 feet) Diet: Carnivore (Fish, dinosaurs, other prey) Time: Early Cretaceous – around 133 to 112 million years ago Habitat: Ancient river systems and wetlands Fossils Found: Africa (notably Niger) and South America

 

 

Which family of reptiles did Sarcosuchus belong to?

 

Sarcosuchus belonged to the crocodyliforms, a group related to modern crocodiles. However, it was not a true crocodile, but a distant cousin from a time when reptiles ruled the rivers.

How did Sarcosuchus move?

 

Sarcosuchus was a strong swimmer, using its muscular tail to propel itself through water. On land, it would have moved slowly, dragging its massive body, much like modern crocodiles do today. Its body shape was perfect for lurking in the water and ambushing prey.

What Were the Unique Features of Sarcosuchus?

• Enormous size, much larger than any living crocodile.
• Long, broad snout with more than 100 conical teeth.
• Thick, bony plates (osteoderms) covering its back for protection.
• Powerful bite and ability to hunt both in water and near riverbanks.

What other Dinosaurs / Prehistoric animals lived at the same time as Sarcosuchus?

 

 

During the Early Cretaceous Period, which lasted for about 79 million years, Sarcosuchus shared the planet with a multitude of other fascinating dinosaurs and prehistoric animals. Some of the notable contemporaries of Sarcosuchus include:

 

• Suchomimus: A large, fish-eating dinosaur with a long, crocodile-like snout.
• Nigersaurus: A plant-eating sauropod with a wide, vacuum-like mouth, perfect for grazing low-lying vegetation.
• Elrhazosaurus: A small, fast-moving ornithopod that likely lived in herds.
• Afrovenator: A medium-sized predatory dinosaur that stalked the floodplains and riverbanks.
• Lurdusaurus: A heavily built, slow-moving herbivore with a barrel-shaped body and strong limbs.
• Ouranosaurus: A herbivorous dinosaur with a sail-like structure on its back formed by elongated spines.
• Deinonychus: A small, agile predator with a sickle-shaped claw on each foot used for hunting.

 

These diverse inhabitants of the Early Cretaceous Period contributed to a vibrant and complex ecosystem, each playing unique roles in their environment.

 

 

 

Sarcosuchus FAQ

 

Q1: What is a Sarcosuchus?

A1: Sarcosuchus was a gigantic prehistoric crocodile-like reptile, often nicknamed “SuperCroc” because of its enormous size.

Q2: When did Sarcosuchus live?

A2: It lived during the Early Cretaceous period, about 133–112 million years ago.

Q3: How big was Sarcosuchus?

A3: It could reach about 11–12 metres long and weigh up to 8 tonnes, making it much larger than modern crocodiles.

Q4: What did Sarcosuchus eat?

A4: It was a carnivore and probably ate large fish, turtles, and sometimes dinosaurs that came too close to the water.

Q5: Where have Sarcosuchus fossils been found?

A5: Fossils have been discovered mainly in Niger and Brazil, showing it lived in warm, swampy river systems.

Q6: What made Sarcosuchus different from modern crocodiles?

A6: It had a long, narrow snout filled with over 100 teeth, and a bulb-like bump at the end of its nose called a bulla.

Q7: How strong was its bite?

A7: Its bite wasn’t as powerful as a modern saltwater crocodile’s, but its jaws were built for grabbing and holding slippery prey like fish.

Q8: How did Sarcosuchus hunt?

A8: It likely used an ambush strategy, hiding in shallow water before lunging at prey that came near the river’s edge.

Q9: Did Sarcosuchus live alongside dinosaurs?

A9: Yes. It shared its environment with many dinosaurs, including herbivores like Ouranosaurus and large predators.

Q10: Why is Sarcosuchus important to scientists?

A10: It helps palaeontologists understand how ancient crocodiles evolved and how prehistoric river ecosystems worked.

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