Anonymous21 days ago
Paleontologists have identified a new crocodile species, Crocodylus lucivenator, that lived alongside the iconic hominin Lucy in Ethiopia's Hadar region between 3.4 and 3 million years ago. The 12- to 15-foot apex predator, described from 121 fossil specimens, was the dominant predator in its ecosystem and almost certainly hunted Australopithecus afarensis — placing it among a growing roster of ancient crocodilians now known to have preyed on early human ancestors across East Africa.