We all are well aware that dinosaurs did in fact populate this earth at one time or another. Tyrannosaurus Rex, Triceratops, Brachiosaurus, all names of well known dinosaurs, but researchers found a lead to an ancient species of crocodiles thought to be present during the same time. This bizarre creature known as the Pakasuchus Kapilimai , translated into “cat crocodile” is 105 million years old. The overall body was roughly the same as a modern day cat, and its body features did not coincide with the ones of the reptiles present during that period. The legs were much lengthier and the teeth allowed them to do something most reptiles could not, chew. Also, the nostrils of this creature were not located on the top of its head like other modern day crocodiles, but instead were found on the tip of its snout like a canine. Showing scientist that this creature lived in a land environment, much different from the marine environment crocodiles live in today.
The Pakasuchus Kapilimai located in modern day Tanzania opened the eyes of many scientist that there is still life that is unknown to us humans. Evolution plays a huge part in this discovery, showing us that animals known to us today are more similar than we think to the animals known in the past. The fact that fossils are still being discovered shows how great our history is, and how much history has yet to be discovered.
Hearing about the history of a creature that always was unknown to our imaginations does not happen often. Therefore when a discovery such as this takes place, it is nice to know that scientists will keep us up to date with evolution, no matter if it was from the past or currently in the present.
SOURCE: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/08/100804-new-crocodile-fossil-pakasuchus-nature-science-mammal-teeth/
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.