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See the original image at news.nationalgeographic.com

Armadillo-like crocodile fossil found in Brazil

news.nationalgeographic.com — In addition to body armor never before found on a crocodile species, the ancient reptile had jaws that allowed it to chew like a mammal, paleontologists say.

Who dugg this? Made popular Jul 10, 2009

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36 Comments

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  • mikeinto, on 07/09/2009, -0/+20Wow. I want one.
  • NeddieSeagoon, on 07/10/2009, -0/+13Crocodillo?
  • skabyss, on 07/10/2009, -0/+7CLEARLY this is an Armadile
  • rodrigo74, on 07/10/2009, -1/+8How do they know it's not a crocodile-like armadillo?
  • inactive, on 07/09/2009, -1/+7Six feet long? DAYUM!
  • Terrywolf, on 07/09/2009, -1/+4ITS A BABY DRAGON!
  • AmyVernon, on 07/10/2009, -1/+4KILL IT WIT- oh, wait, it's already dead.
  • EpicSelekta, on 07/10/2009, -0/+3It's an armored crocodile with a dog-like stature.

    I'm never sleeping again.
  • shig, on 07/10/2009, -0/+3Just looks just like a normal armadillo skeleton...

    Armadillos even have that same number and same shape to their teeth and jaw line. Is this particular armadillo bigger, or does it have a crocodile tail, or what, because I don't see any croc-like features in that photo?
  • davdev, on 07/10/2009, -0/+2Looks like we are one step closer to finding that damn Crocoduck Kirk Cameron keeps looking for
  • EpicSelekta, on 07/10/2009, -0/+2perhaps because it did not have fleshy, sleeping primates to feast on.
  • EpicSelekta, on 07/10/2009, -0/+2It's definitely a crocodile -

    The temporal fenestra (holes on the side of the skull) are positioned in a manner indicative of a diapsid reptile. Also, the dentition does not resemble an armadillo. Just for reference, here is an armadillo skull on top and bottom: http://courses.washington.edu/vertebra/452/photos/ ... / http://courses.washington.edu/vertebra/452/photos/ ...
  • Taneth, on 07/10/2009, -0/+2Reminds me of those creationist challenges. "If evolution is real, why don't we have a crocodillo?"
    Well... there it is.
  • EpicSelekta, on 07/10/2009, -0/+1They are, they just grew wings and taste good fried
  • aronnyc, on 07/10/2009, -0/+1I wish dinosaurs were still alive.
  • zip000, on 07/10/2009, -0/+1Oh that's great!

    His argument isn't even all that ludicrous until he pulls out that picture - sure it's wrong, but it is an understandable kind of wrong. Then he pulls that out and he's obviously just obfuscating and trying to confuse people...or else he is profoundly stupid.
  • Majin, on 07/10/2009, -2/+3gotta catch em all
  • EpicSelekta, on 07/10/2009, -1/+2I suggest Armacrock
  • EpicSelekta, on 07/11/2009, -0/+1I would love to see the actual article... link?
  • FauOz, on 07/11/2009, -0/+1Love fossil and T REX castings and take them home http://www.allclassics.com/fossil-castings-bronze- ...
  • shig, on 07/10/2009, -0/+1Here's a 6-band armadillo skeleton from Brazil to compare the teeth;
    http://www.dundee.ac.uk/museum/zoology/skeletons/1 ...

    One thing I didn't notice in the NG photo is the two bony ridges on the armor that the scientists say make it a crocodilian, because I had to search for a better source (the actual scientists) to get better info. You're right also. I thought those holes on the side were where the jaw bone came through.
  • linksus, on 07/10/2009, -0/+1It evidently didnt help it survive.
  • zip000, on 07/10/2009, -0/+1I'm afraid to ask, but...WTF?
  • zip000, on 07/10/2009, -0/+1That's what I'm curious about. It mentioned how like an armadillo it was but not how like a crocodile it was.

    I'm sure they have a good reason for labeling it a crocodile, but I'd like more info.
  • davdev, on 07/10/2009, -0/+1if you really want to know:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNTGmoTb8sw
  • Mexdude, on 07/10/2009, -1/+1GUYS!! This is a landwalking tremor! Finally science has proved what we all knew to be true, that tremors have in fact existed on our planet before. http://www.parmaq.com/kitbuilding/Images/tremors2. ...
  • DankBuddz, on 07/10/2009, -1/+1NOM NOM NOM
  • davdev, on 07/10/2009, -1/+1dup
  • CaptainNoPants, on 07/10/2009, -1/+1Nice, DR+60
  • mytruckhasdents, on 07/10/2009, -1/+1There goes mother nature f*cking with us again....
  • inactive, on 07/10/2009, -2/+1horrible thing
  • skabyss, on 07/10/2009, -3/+1Damn nature you scary!
  • skabyss, on 07/10/2009, -4/+2I'll put this on my list of things not to ***** with.
  • jordanmoore, on 07/10/2009, -4/+1Smooth on the outside and crunchy on the inside
  • pitdog, on 07/10/2009, -5/+1Crocodog. or crocdog
  • DouglasQ, on 07/10/2009, -6/+1It's probably just an armadillo.
    ...or a crocodile.

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