Scientists Unearth Giant Prehistoric Crocodile That Hunted Human Ancestor Lucy
In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have identified a new species of giant prehistoric crocodile that would have weighed up to half a tonne and grown to lengths of 15 feet. This formidable predator, named Crocodylus lucivenator or Lucy's hunter, likely terrorised our human ancestors, including the famous Australopithecus afarensis known as Lucy, over 3 million years ago in what is now Ethiopia.
A Formidable Predator in Ancient Ecosystems
According to a study published in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, this extinct crocodile species reached maximum lengths between 12 feet (3.5 metres) and 15 feet (4.5 metres), with adults weighing between 270 kilograms (600 pounds) and 590 kilograms (1,300 pounds). It was the only crocodile present in a landscape of shrublands and wetlands dotted with rivers in modern-day Ethiopia, making it the apex predator of its time.
Christopher Brochu, an author of the study from the University of Iowa, emphasised its dominance: "It was the largest predator in that ecosystem, more so than lions and hyenas, and the biggest threat to our ancestors who lived there during that time." As an ambush predator similar to modern crocodiles, Lucy's hunter would have lurked submerged in water, waiting to spring on unsuspecting prey that came to drink.
Unique Physical Characteristics and Discovery
The crocodile possessed peculiar physical traits, most notably a large hump in the middle of its snout. This feature, akin to that found in American crocodiles but not in African Nile crocodiles, is believed to have been used by males to attract mates. Dr Brochu explained, "You see this in some modern crocodiles. The male will lower his head down a little bit to a female to show it off."
Researchers identified the new species based on museum specimens kept in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2016. They analysed 121 catalogued remains, including skulls, teeth, and jaw parts, representing dozens of individuals. One specimen showed several healed injuries on its jaw, indicating conflicts with peers. The fossils were excavated from the Hadar site in Ethiopia's Afar region, an area that during the Pliocene featured diverse habitats like woodlands, grasslands, and river systems.
Implications for Understanding Human Evolution
The discovery sheds light on the dangers faced by early hominids. Dr Brochu noted, "It's a near certainty this crocodile would have hunted Lucy's species. Whether a particular crocodile tried to grab Lucy, we'll never know, but it would have seen Lucy's kind and thought, 'Dinner'." This predator's persistence across changing environments, as highlighted by study author Christopher Campisano, underscores its adaptability and the constant threat it posed to human ancestors.
This finding not only adds a new chapter to the story of human evolution but also enriches our understanding of prehistoric ecosystems in Africa, revealing the intricate predator-prey dynamics that shaped our ancestors' survival.
