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What is the timeline of the crocodile?
Along with pterosaurs and dinosaurs, crocodiles were an offshoot of the archosaurs, the “ruling lizards” of the early-to-middle Triassic period of the Mesozoic Era. This epoch in history began about 251 million years ago and ended 65 million years ago.
How old is the crocodile family?
Crocodiles are the ultimate survivors. Having arisen some 200 million years ago, they have outlived the dinosaurs by some 65 million years. Even humans, the most fearsome predators ever to stalk the Earth, have failed to force into extinction any of the 23 species of crocodilians.
What did Crocs evolve from?
Our crocodiles evolved from an animal in the prehistoric period called a Phytosaur. They looked very much like today’s crocodiles except their nostrils were on the top of their heads, not on their snouts.
Which came first crocodile or alligator?
Crocodiles Are Slightly Older Than Alligators The animals that would later become crocodiles can be traced back to the Jurassic period. These aquatic crocodiles are known as ‘Thalattosuchia’ and lived over 200 million years ago. The first land Crocodile is considered to be the Sarcosuchus.
How many years did it take for crocodiles to evolve?
200 Million Years of Crocodile Evolution. It was only well into the Mesozoic Era that crocodiles evolved the three main traits with which they’re associated today: stubby legs; sleek, armored bodies; and marine lifestyles.
What group does the crocodile belong to?
Crocodiles also show the most important characteristics of the group that includes the dinosaurs (subclass Archosauria ).
When did crocodiles become extinct in the Mesozoic era?
The Crocodiles of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic Eras. By the start of the Jurassic period (about 200 million years ago), crocodiles had mostly abandoned their terrestrial lifestyles, probably as a response to the terrestrial dominance achieved by dinosaurs.
How were prehistoric crocodiles more impressive than their terrestrial relatives?
One way in which prehistoric crocodiles were indeed more impressive than their terrestrial relatives was their ability, as a group, to survive the K-T extinction event that wiped the dinosaurs off the face of the earth 65 million years ago.