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Suchomimus

Suchomimus tenerensis, the fish-eating dinosaur with a crocodile-like snout, dominated ancient African floodplains. With its long claws and specialized teeth, it adapted perfectly to a piscivorous lifestyle, illustrating nature's ingenuity in the Cretaceous ecosystem.

3000.0 - 5000.0 kg
Weight
Length: 10.9728 m
Size
Characteristics
Suchomimus tenerensis, a theropod dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous period, is known for its elongated snout and crocodile-like jaws. It inhabited the floodplains of what is now Africa, displaying piscivorous behavior with conical teeth ideal for catching fish. Its long claws and robust forelimbs suggest a versatile hunting strategy.
Distribution Range of the Suchomimus
Suchomimus tenerensis is believed to have lived in present-day Niger, specifically in the Elrhaz Formation of the Tenere Desert in the Sahara. The fossils were discovered in the Gadoufaoua region, which is part of the larger area known as the Tenere Desert.
Suchomimus's Habitat
Environmental Conditions
During the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 112 million years ago, the region that is now the Sahara was much different. It was a lush, riverine environment with abundant water sources, including rivers and floodplains. The climate was likely warm and humid, supporting a rich diversity of flora and fauna.
Ecological Niche
Suchomimus was a semi-aquatic theropod dinosaur, primarily piscivorous, meaning it mainly fed on fish. Its ecological niche was similar to that of modern crocodiles, as it likely inhabited riverbanks and wetlands, using its elongated snout and conical teeth to catch fish and other aquatic prey. This adaptation suggests a lifestyle closely tied to water bodies, making it well-suited to the river-dominated ecosystems of its time.