An international group of scientists from the United States, South Korea and Australia found that the ancestors of modern crocodiles moved on two legs. This is evidenced by the traces of their paws found on the Korean peninsula.
Paleontologists analyzed traces that they thought previously belonged to pterosaurs — prehistoric flying reptiles. After analysis, they found that these tracks are previously unknown species of crocodiles. He was named Batrachopus grandis. This is
stated in a study published in the scientific journal Scientific Reports.
Based on the traces found, the ancestors of modern crocodiles were about three meters long. They lived more than 100 million years ago and preferred land rather than water.
According to the co-author of the study, paleontologist and professor at the University of Colorado, Martin Lockley, they came to such conclusions because of the repetition of the discovered traces. They were even compared to the tracks of running ostriches.
“The traces we found are located close to each other — as if the crocodiles were balancing on the pole when they walked,” he said.
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