Deinosuchus (/ˌdaɪnəˈsjuːkəs/) is an extinct genus of alligatoroid crocodilian, related to modern alligators and caimans, that lived 82 to 73 million years ago (Ma), during the late Cretaceous period. The name translates as "terrible crocodile" and is derived from the Greek deinos (δεινός), "terrible", and soukhos (σοῦχος), "crocodile". The first remains were discovered in North Carolina (United States) in the 1850s; the genus was named and described in 1909. Additional fragments were discovered in the 1940s and were later incorporated into an influential, though inaccurate, skull reconstruction at the American Museum of Natural History. Knowledge of Deinosuchus remains incomplete, but better cranial material found in recent years has expanded scientific understanding of this massive predator.
Although Deinosuchus was far larger than any modern crocodile or alligator, with the largest adults measuring 10.6 meters (35 ft) in total length, its overall appearance was fairly similar to its smaller relatives. It had large, robust teeth built for crushing, and its back was covered with thick hemispherical osteoderms. One study indicated Deinosuchus may have lived for up to 50 years, growing at a rate similar to that of modern crocodilians, but maintaining this growth over a much longer time.
Deinosuchus fossils have been described from 10 U.S. states, including Texas, Montana, and many along the East Coast. Fossils have also been found in northern Mexico. It lived on both sides of the Western Interior Seaway, and was an opportunistic apex predator in the coastal regions of eastern North America. Deinosuchus reached its largest size in its western habitat, but the eastern populations were far more abundant. Opinion remains divided as to whether these two populations represent separate species. Deinosuchus was probably capable of killing and eating large dinosaurs. It may have also fed upon sea turtles, fish, and other aquatic and terrestrial prey.
^Adam P. Cossette; Christopher A. Brochu (2020). "A systematic review of the giant alligatoroid Deinosuchus from the Campanian of North America and its implications for the relationships at the root of Crocodylia". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 40 (1): e1767638. Bibcode:2020JVPal..40E7638C. doi:10.1080/02724634.2020.1767638.
were probably the first Deinosuchus remains to be scientifically described. Another large tooth that likely came from Deinosuchus, discovered in neighboring...
extinct crocodyliformes, Sarcosuchus, Deinosuchus, and Rhamphosuchus had similar body sizes. Sarcosuchus and Deinosuchus had similar proportions, but both...
resident Triceratops at Triceratops Creek. Deinosuchus Dip: This is a huge lake, where the park's Deinosuchus is kept. Ornithomimus Pond: This paddock features...
greater than that of the Miocene Rhamphosuchus, the Late Cretaceous Deinosuchus, and the Miocene Purussaurus according to current estimates at that time...
ankylosaur Zuul, the tyrannosaur Daspletosaurus, and the giant alligatoroid Deinosuchus. Ishikawa, H.; Tsuihiji, T.; Manabe, M. (2023). "Furcatoceratops elucidans...
estimate the bite force of extinct species. An 11-to-12-metre (36–39 ft) Deinosuchus would apply a force of 23,100 lbf (103,000 N), nearly twice that of the...
Schwimmer, David R. (2002). "The Size of Deinosuchus". King of the Crocodylians: The Paleobiology of Deinosuchus. Indiana University Press. pp. 42–63....
Maiasaura Brenda Crichlow as Denise Diplodocus Deb Demille as Deanna Deinosuchus Trevor Devall as Boris Tyrannosaurus, Bucky Masiakasaurus, Mr. Deinonychus...
salamanders, turtles, lizards and crocodilians like the apex predator Deinosuchus. A variety of early mammals were present including multituberculates...
1017/S147720190600188X. S2CID 85950121. The Size of Deinosuchus, King of the Crocodylians: The Paleobiology of Deinosuchus. Indiana University Press. pp. 42–63. ISBN 0-253-34087-X...
duck-billed dinosaur, was announced. Fossils of the giant crocodilian Deinosuchus have also been found. Early settlers of the region mined certain parts...
Journey Through the Mists. Dil is a female "big-mouthed bellydragger" (Deinosuchus), while Ichy is a male "sharp beak" (Ichthyornis). They pursue Littlefoot...
Schwimmer, David R. (2002). King of the Crocodylians: The Paleobiology of Deinosuchus. Indiana University Press. ISBN 0-253-34087-X. Everhart, M., nd, Oceans...
surpassed Rhamphosuchus in weight , such as the Late Cretaceous alligatoroid Deinosuchus, the Early Cretaceous pholidosaurid Sarcosuchus and the Miocene gavialid...
rays), frogs, salamanders, turtles, lizards, and crocodilians, with Deinosuchus being the apex predator. A variety of early mammals were present, including...
Christopher A. Brochu (2020). "A systematic review of the giant alligatoroid Deinosuchus from the Campanian of North America and its implications for the relationships...
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