Paleontologists have found the first direct physical evidence that giant prehistoric crocodiles hunted large herbivorous mammals in what is now Colombia around 12 million years ago.
Reconstruction of the faunal community of La Venta. Purusaurus nevensis attack Pericotoxodon platignathus;Although it is also pictured in the foreground, Anhinga reference. A. Grandis and caiman sp. Image credit: Miguel Hernandez.
“With so much prey available, no mammalian predator could consume it all,” said Dr. Oscar Wilson, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Helsinki.
“Our recent study indicates that crocodiles were the primary predators in the region, particularly when targeting larger prey.”
Dr. Wilson and a team from various countries analyzed fossils of large ungulates from the La Venta region in Colombia’s Huila department.
The fossils belonged to Pericotoxodon platignathus, as well as two elephant-like herbivores called Xenastrapoterium Kraglievich and Granastrapotherium Snorki.
These creatures were estimated to weigh between 600 and 1,800 kilograms.
All four specimens exhibited bite marks and other injuries consistent with attacks from giant crocodiles, with Purusaurus being the most likely predator.
The researchers also identified marks on the fossils that were attributed to a smaller crocodile relative langstonia hoilensis, indicating scavenging behavior.
The findings support the idea that in ancient South America, giant crocodiles played a significant role as top predators in wetland ecosystems, regulating herbivore populations.
The study by Dr. Wilson and colleagues is published in this month’s Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.
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Oscar E. Wilson others. Physical evidence of crocodile predation on ungulates in the mid-Miocene of Colombia. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontologypublished online on August 16, 2026. doi: 10.1080/02724634.2026.2701154
Source: www.sci.news
