In a quiet Queensland backyard, scientists have uncovered traces of a predator that once ruled Australia’s forests. The discovery of the country’s oldest known crocodile eggshells may reveal new clues about a prehistoric crocodile that hunted from above.
What have researchers discovered?
A team led by the Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont in Barcelona found the ancient fossils in Murgon, a small town three and a half hours from Brisbane. The eggshells belonged to mekosuchine crocodiles, a species that lived around 55 million years ago. Their findings were published on Tuesday in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.
What made these crocodiles unusual?
According to Professor Michael Archer from the University of New South Wales (UNSW), the mekosuchine crocodiles could grow up to five metres long and were capable of hunting from trees. “It’s a bizarre idea,” Archer said. “But some of them seem to have lived on land and hunted in forests.” He compared their behaviour to leopards, saying they may have “dropped from trees onto unsuspecting prey.”
What do the eggshells reveal?
Study lead author Xavier Panadès i Blas said the fossils held valuable clues. “They preserve microstructural and geochemical signals that show what kinds of animals laid them, where they nested and how they bred,” he explained. These details help scientists better understand the reproduction and adaptability of ancient crocodiles.
How long did Mekosuchine crocodiles survive?
Researchers believe these crocodiles vanished from Australia around 3,000 years ago. Michael Stein, a UNSW research associate, said their extinction may have been caused by drying habitats, competition with other predators, and a decline in prey.
Where were the fossils found?
The discovery site lies in a local rancher’s backyard in Murgon. Archer said he first began excavating there in 1983 with colleague Henk Godhelp. “We knocked on the door and asked if we could dig in their backyard,” he recalled. “The owners smiled and said yes after hearing what we were looking for.”
Why is the find important?
The eggshells provide a rare glimpse into Australia’s ancient ecosystems and the diversity of reptiles that once inhabited them. “Many fascinating animals have been found in this deposit,” Archer said. “With more digging, we expect even more surprises.”
How do experts view the discovery?
Palaeontologist Dean Lomax, author of The Secret Lives of Dinosaurs, said identifying extinct species from eggshells is always challenging. “It’s very difficult to be certain about which species laid them,” he noted, though he praised the research for offering important insights into prehistoric behaviour.
The scientists believe that as excavations continue, Australia’s ancient “drop crocs” may finally tell their long-hidden story — one eggshell at a time.
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