Paleontologists examining fossils in Ethiopia have discovered a new species of crocodile, named Crocodylus lucivenator, that coexisted with the renowned hominid Australopithecus afarensis. This formidable predator likely thrived in the wetlands and forest watering holes during the Pliocene epoch, posing a significant threat to early hominins.
Crocodylus lucivenator cohabited with Lucy and her early ancestors, potentially preying on them. Image credit: Tyler Stone, University of Iowa.
Crocodylus lucivenator thrived between 3.4 and 3 million years ago, overlapping in time and place with the famous hominin Australopithecus afarensis.
This species measured approximately 3.7 to 4.6 meters (12 to 15 feet) in length and weighed between 270 and 590 kilograms (600 to 1,300 pounds).
As an ambush predator, it would remain camouflaged underwater, ready to strike at unsuspecting drinkers.
“It was the dominant predator in that ecosystem, surpassing lions and hyenas, representing the biggest threat to our ancestors,” stated Professor Christopher Brochu from the University of Iowa.
“It is highly likely that Crocodylus lucivenator preyed on Lucy’s kind.”
“The combination of anatomical features in Crocodylus lucivenator was quite extraordinary and surprising,” he added.
The species was identified from 121 specimens, primarily skulls, teeth, and jaw fragments, obtained from the Hadar Formation in Ethiopia’s Afar region.
One notable fossilized jaw exhibits signs of damage indicating potential combat with another crocodile.
“This specimen displayed several partially healed injuries, suggesting it likely engaged in a fight with another crocodile,” explained Dr. Stephanie Drumheller, a paleontologist at the University of Tennessee.
“Such face-biting behavior is a common trait in crocodilian species, with similar scars appearing in the fossil record of extinct groups.”
While it’s unclear which combatant emerged victorious, the healing suggests survival post-battle, regardless of the outcome.
Crocodylus lucivenator exhibits a unique blend of anatomical traits found across several extinct African crocodile species.
This crocodile shares features with two known Pleistocene species while also retaining more primitive characteristics.
Additionally, researchers found a distinctive ridge along the snout resembling traits in modern Neotropical crocodiles and late Miocene species from Libya and Kenya.
Similar fossilized features at the Pliocene Kanapoi site in Kenya had been previously misclassified under a different species.
New investigations reveal that these fossils closely relate to Crocodylus lucivenator and several other extinct East African crocodiles.
Phylogenetic analysis indicates that this ancient crocodilian population represents a distinct lineage.
Fossil evidence confirms that Crocodylus lucivenator was the sole crocodile inhabiting the Pliocene Hadar Formation.
In contrast, contemporary deposits in the Turkana Basin suggest four different crocodile species coexisted at that time, although the reason for this disparity remains unknown.
“During the Pliocene, Hadar featured diverse habitats, such as woodlands, wet grasslands, and river systems,” remarked Dr. Christopher Campisano, a paleontologist at Arizona State University.
“Remarkably, this crocodile was one of the few species successful in adapting.”
This discovery is detailed in the article: Journal of Systematic Paleontology.
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Christopher A. Brochu et al. Lucy’s Danger: A Pliocene crocodile from the Hadar Formation of northeastern Ethiopia. Journal of Systematic Paleontology published online on March 11, 2026. doi: 10.1080/14772019.2026.2614954
Source: www.sci.news
