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268 / Mesozoic
Postosuchus
Postosuchus kirkpatricki
A deep skull, serrated teeth and powerful hind limbs placed it atop food webs before dinosaur dominance.
- Time range
- About 228–204 million years ago
- Final stage
- Late Triassic
- Geographic range
- Seasonal river plains · North America
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was Postosuchus?
Postosuchus (Postosuchus kirkpatricki) was an extinct organism known from About 228–204 million years ago, with a range in Seasonal river plains · North America.
Life and ecology
Postosuchus was a rauisuchid relative of crocodilians, mainly quadrupedal but capable of raising its front body. Rows of osteoderms protected its back.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did Postosuchus disappear?
The end-Triassic extinction removed most large pseudosuchian lineages.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about Postosuchus?
Southwestern US skeletons preserve the skull, teeth, armor and strongly unequal limbs.
04 / SOURCES & FURTHER READING
Check the source record
Use the scientific name to compare taxonomy, occurrence records and the fossil record. Database coverage and classifications may differ.
05 / REVISION HISTORY
How has this record changed?
- Verified authoritative entity sources and added three responsive reconstruction sizes.
- Initial bilingual species record published.
06 / CORRECTIONS & ADDITIONS