View original imageThis is an original generative reconstruction, not a photograph or scientific plate.
452 / Cenozoic
Purussaurus
Purussaurus brasiliensis
A skull over a meter long belonged to a dominant Miocene caiman.
- Time range
- About 13–5 million years ago
- Final stage
- End of the Miocene
- Geographic range
- Giant rivers and wetlands · South America
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was Purussaurus?
Purussaurus (Purussaurus brasiliensis) was an extinct organism known from About 13–5 million years ago, with a range in Giant rivers and wetlands · South America.
Life and ecology
It ambushed fish, turtles and mammals approaching the water.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did Purussaurus disappear?
Andean uplift reorganized drainage and shrank giant wetlands.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about Purussaurus?
Skulls, teeth and limbs support great size, whose maximum remains a range.
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