GnathostomataMahajangasuchidae

Mahajangasuchus insignis

Mahajangasuchus insignis skeletal reconstruction, left lateral view, length ~4.1 m.
Scale bar = 50 centimeters
Taxon
Mahajangasuchus insignis Buckley & Brochu, 1999
Reconstructed length
~4.1 m (13 feet)
View
Left lateral
Drawing
© Scott Hartman
Drawn
2018
Clade
  1. Gnathostomata
  2. Tetrapoda
  3. Amniota
  4. Sauropsida
  5. Archosauromorpha
  6. Archosauria
  7. Pseudosuchia
  8. Crocodylomorpha
  9. Notosuchia
  10. Mahajangasuchidae

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A robust, semiaquatic notosuchian from the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar. Mahajangasuchus combined a broad, deep skull and stout conical teeth with a heavy shield of interlocking dorsal armor running down its back. It was probably less terrestrial than other notosuchians, although at over 4 meters (13 feet) you wouldn’t want to go wading near one if they had survived to the modern day.

Without armor

Mahajangasuchus insignis — Without armor.
Drawn 2018