Suchomimus

Suchomimus, meaning “crocodile mimic,” is an ancient spinosaurid dinosaur that shares a family with Baryonyx and Spinosaurus and bears a striking resemblance to the star dinosaur featured in Jurassic Park III. Unlike its famous relative, however, Suchomimus lacked the towering spines and sizable sail on its back, as its vertebrae were notably smaller.

When palaeontologist Paul Sereno stumbled upon a Suchomimus tenerensis during an expedition in Africa, he described it as a dinosaur with a strong resemblance to a crocodile. Its elongated snout brimmed with teeth seemingly built for catching fish. Robust, lengthy arms culminated in three-fingered hands bearing massive claws, which likely aided in grasping substantial gar fish—an integral part of its diet. This creature possibly swam after fish or ambushed them on land, much like a grizzly bear, then subdued its prey using its formidable arms. Living 105 million years ago, Suchomimus boasts the most comprehensive preserved skeleton among the spinosaur lineage.

This discovery holds significance to the paleontology community, showcasing the remarkable diversity among dinosaurs. In particular, Suchomimus underscores the notion that a sizeable land-dwelling carnivore could sustain itself primarily on fish.

A 2022 study delving into the bone densities of Suchomimus, Baryonyx, and Spinosaurus highlighted intriguing contrasts. Suchomimus, with its lightweight bones, seemed well-suited for wading through shallow waters in search of prey. Conversely, Baryonyx and Spinosaurus, possessing denser bones, appeared better suited for plunging into deeper waters to pursue their meals. This observation is noteworthy because some scientists had once categorized Suchomimus and Baryonyx as the same species. The dissimilarities in skeletal structures and hunting behaviors further affirm that while these creatures are closely related, they are indeed distinct entities.