New study shows evidence of prehistoric ‘drop crocs’ unearthed in Queensland

Researchers have made a new discovery in rural Queensland, providing new evidence for an ancient species that may have climbed trees to hunt their prey.

The petrified remains were found in the backyard of a grazier in the small Queensland town of Murgon about 247km north-west of Brisbane, by an international research team, including paleontologists from the University of New South Wales (UNSW).

Conversely, modern saltwater and freshwater crocodiles only arrived in Australia 3.8 million years ago.

Experts were of the view that the specific species of mekosuchine found in Queensland has been called Wakkaoolithus godthelpi, which is highly distinctive from modern crocodiles.

In this connection, UNSW paleontologist Professor Michael Archer said, "It’s a bizarre idea, but some of them appear to have been terrestrial hunters in the forests."

The latest research on the ancient crocodile eggshells confirms that a distinctive group of terrestrial mekosuchines belonged to Queensland.

Experts reported that the ancient crocodiles could have reached huge sizes of up to five meters long.

The research study underscores that ancient crocodiles were not fully aquatic animals.

Further, it belongs to a distinctive group which retained the ability to live a more terrestrial existence in ancient forests.