Africasuch

Africasuchus (*Africasuchus nigeriensis*) is an extinct genus of large theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 70 to 66 million years ago. Fossil remains of this predator have been discovered in what is now Niger, West Africa, making it one of the few well-documented theropods from the continent.

The name *Africasuchus* translates to "African crocodile," reflecting its robust, crocodile-like skull and powerful build. It was a bipedal carnivore, likely reaching lengths of around 7 to 8 meters (23 to 26 feet) and weighing several tons. Its skull was broad and deep, equipped with strong jaws lined with sharp, recurved teeth, suggesting a diet of large prey such as sauropods, hadrosaurs, and other dinosaurs. The presence of a robust, crocodile-like snout indicates it may have been an ambush predator, capable of delivering powerful bites.

Fossil evidence of *Africasuchus* includes partial skulls, limb bones, and vertebrae, primarily recovered from the Elrhaz Formation in the Tenere Desert of Niger. These remains were first described in 2007 by a team of paleontologists led by Paul Sereno, who noted its distinct anatomical features that set it apart from other theropods of its time.

Africasuchus is significant in the study of African dinosaur fauna, as it provides insights into the diversity and ecology of theropods in the region during the Late Cretaceous. Its discovery helps fill gaps in the fossil record of African dinosaurs, which have historically been less well-represented compared to other continents. While closely related to other large theropods like *Carcharodontosaurus* and *Spinosaurus*, *Africasuchus* exhibits unique adaptations that reflect its ecological niche in the African ecosystems of its time.