Table of Contents
Did crocodiles exist before dinosaurs?
Crocodiles are the ultimate survivors. Having arisen some 200 million years ago, they have outlived the dinosaurs by some 65 million years.
How did crocodiles survive when dinosaurs didn t?
Crocodiles survived the asteroid strike that wiped out the dinosaurs thanks to their ‘versatile’ and ‘efficient’ body shape, that allowed them to cope with the enormous environmental changes triggered by the impact, according to new research. Crocodiles can thrive in or out of water and live in complete darkness.
Are crocodiles dinosaurs yes or no?
Some other non-dinosaur reptiles are also archosaurs, including pterosaurs (the now-extinct flying reptiles) and modern crocodiles and their ancestors. These and many other types of ancient reptiles are often wrongly called dinosaurs. Marine reptiles, such as ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs and mosasaurs are not dinosaurs.
Did crocodiles descend from dinosaurs?
Well, the fact is that dinosaurs, pterosaurs and crocodiles are all descended from archosaurs, the “ruling lizards” of the late Permian and early Triassic periods.
What is the biggest prehistoric crocodile?
Name: Smilosuchus (Greek for “saber crocodile”); pronounced SMILE-oh-SOO-kuss
Did alligators live alongside dinosaurs?
Yes, ancient species of alligators (and multiple species of crocodiles) lived at the same time as dinosaurs. Several species of the order Crocodilia that include Crocodiles and Alligators of the modern-day evolved during the Mesozoic era.
Is an alligator considered a dinosaur?
As alligators do not have all of these traits, they cannot be considered dinosaurs. Alligators and dinosaurs are closely related, however. Reptiles fit into two groups, the archosaurs and the lepidosaurs.