what scientists say — Science and IT

Paleontologists have made an important discovery in the Okucahe Desert in Peru – the first recorded juvenile specimen of an ancient crocodile aged 10 to 12 million years, which indicates that the animal had not yet reached full adult size at the time of its death.

This was reported by GMA News Online.

“The fossil of a gharial crocodile, or a fish-eater, about three meters long was discovered at the end of 2023 in perfect condition in the Peruvian Okucaye desert,” the article says.

The reconstruction of this specimen was supervised by paleontologist Mario Gamarra, who drew attention to the characteristic physical features of this species. Unlike modern crocodiles and alligators, this gharial had an elongated snout adapted to fish, similar to the Indian gharial.