A newly identified crocodile species, nicknamed “Lucy’s hunter,” terrorized early human ancestors in Ethiopia more than three million years ago. This giant predator likely posed the greatest danger in its ecosystem. It may have regularly hunted early human relatives.
Researchers formally described the crocodile and named it *Crocodylus lucivenator*. The name means "Lucy's hunter." This reflects the animal's historical presence alongside Lucy and her species, *Australopithecus afarensis*. The crocodile lived between 3.4 million and 3 million years ago in what is now Ethiopia.
This impressive animal measured approximately 12 to 15 feet long. It weighed between 600 and 1,300 pounds. It was the sole known crocodile in the Hadar landscape, an environment of shrublands, wetlands, rivers, and tree-lined waterways. Scientists believe it was an ambush predator, waiting in the water for animals to approach.
The crocodile possessed a prominent hump in the middle of its snout. This feature is seen in American crocodiles but not in Africa’s Nile crocodiles. Researchers suggest the hump may have played a role in courtship displays. The species also had a snout that extended further beyond its nostrils than other crocodiles of that era. This feature resembles modern crocodiles.
Researchers analyzed 121 cataloged fossil remains, including skulls, teeth, and jaw fragments. These fossils were recovered from the Hadar Formation in Ethiopia’s Afar region. One specimen showed partially healed injuries on its jaw, indicating a fight with another crocodile. This suggests face-biting behavior has a long history in the crocodile family tree.
*Crocodylus lucivenator* appears to have dominated the Hadar region. At least three other crocodile species lived further south in the Eastern Rift Valley. The Hadar ecosystem included various habitats like woodlands, grasslands, and shrublands. This crocodile was one of the few species that persisted across these diverse environments.
Related stories
Pacific Northwest Subduction Zone is Tearing Apart
Scientists have discovered that a subduction zone beneath the Pacific Northwest is tearing apart, offering new insights into how tectonic plates die.
CERN Begins Disconnecting Large Hadron Collider for Upgrade
CERN has started disconnecting parts of the Large Hadron Collider to install new, more powerful superconducting magnets as part of its High-Luminosity upgrade.
Uranus' Moon Ariel May Have Held a 100-Mile-Deep Ocean
New research suggests Uranus' moon Ariel may have once harbored a 100-mile-deep subsurface ocean, indicating the potential for multiple hidden ocean worlds in the Uranian system.