A giant salt water crocodile that lived 160 million years ago was as long as of a double-decker bus, scientists claim.
The terrifying creature roamed the ocean feasting on marine animals such as turtles and may even have eaten dinosaurs, according to a new study.
The fearsome prehistoric reptile measured more than 30 feet long (9 metres).
A giant salt water crocodile that lived 160 million years ago was almost as long as a double-decker bus, scientists claim. M. hugii (illustrated) was the largest at 30.4ft (9.3 metres)
Fresh research into Machimosaurus reveals key details of how and where it lived. Experts say three different species could be found in Europe and a fourth in Ethiopia.
M. hugii was the largest at 30.4ft (9.3 metres) which is larger than the biggest Nile or saltwater crocodiles of the modern era. The biggest living captive crocodile living today measures 18ft (5.5 m).
The smallest of the prehistoric crocodiles was M. buffetauti at around 19 feet (6 metres), while M. mosae was between 20 and 26 feet (6 to 8 metres).
The African creature, M. nowackianus, is only known from a single tooth, so its body length cannot be reliably estimated.
Four species of Machimosaurus roamed the ocean feasting on marine animals such as turtles and even dinosaurs. Three of the species believed to live in the area which is now modern Europe, are illustrated, along with a human to show scale
M. hugii was the largest of of the prehistoric crocodiles at 30.4ft (9.3 metres) which is bigger than the largest Nile or saltwater crocodiles of the modern era. The biggest living captive crocodile living today measures 18ft (5.5 m) A stock image of a saltwater crocodile in Queensland, Australia, is pictured
‘M. hugii was the largest of all these species, with a body length exceeding nine metres, Dr Mark Young, of the University of Edinburgh, said.
Although Machimosaurus had blunt, concical teeth and long, slender snouts, they were so large that they could almost anything they wanted.
Bite marks inflicted by one of the beasts have even been found in the fossilised bones of a giant long-necked dinosaur.
Scientists believe Machimosaurus swam long distances in the open sea, but probably hunted near coasts, snatching any unfortunate animal that got too close.
Each of the species adapted features that enabled them to live and hunt in a range of habitats. They varied in body length, the composition of their skeleton, skull and lower jaw shape.
Machimosaurus fed on marine turtles and lived during the Late Jurassic period, either on the coast or in large rivers flowing into the sea.
M. hugii would have been well adapted for swimming in open seas while its closest cousin
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2793913/the-ancient-crocodile-large-bus-terrifying-giant-predator-ripped-prey-shreds-160-million-years-ago.html#ixzz3GVKBJRhb
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