240-million-year-old crocodile ancestor discovered in Brazil predates dinosaurs

A newly discovered carnivorous reptile that lived before the rise of dinosaurs has been identified in southern Brazil. Named Tainrakuasuchus bellator, the 240-million-year-old creature was an armour-plated predator belonging to the Pseudosuchia group, the early relatives of modern crocodiles and alligators.

The discovery reveals a formidable hunter that lived during the Triassic Period. Researchers from the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria say Tainrakuasuchus bellator reached about 2.4 meters in length and weighed around 60 kilograms.

According to the study, the reptile relied on speed and precision to hunt. It used its long neck and quick movements to catch prey, then trapped them with sharp, recurved teeth. “This animal was an active predator, but despite its relatively large size, it was far from the largest hunter of its time with the same ecosystem home to giants as big as seven meters long,” said lead author Dr Rodrigo Temp Müller.

Dr Müller explained that members of the Pseudosuchia group were diverse predators. “Pseudosuchia were a diverse group of animals capable of tackling robust prey, as well as small hunters specialized in catching swift animals,” he said.

He added that Tainrakuasuchus bellator may resemble a dinosaur to casual observers, but key skeletal features set it apart. “Although its appearance superficially resembles that of a dinosaur, Tainrakuasuchus bellator does not belong to that group. One of the clearest ways for us to distinguish it from dinosaurs lies in the structure of the pelvis where the characteristics of its hip and femur joints are very different.” Unearthed in southern Brazil Dr Müller and his team uncovered the fossils in May 2025 during a dig in the municipality of Dona Francisca in southern Brazil.

The remains included parts of the lower jaw, vertebral column, and pelvic girdle. Infographic of Tainrakuasuchus bellator Credit Caio Fantini, Rodrigo Temp Müller, Mauricio Garcia Laboratory preparation revealed an animal covered in protective bony plates called osteoderms, similar to those seen in modern crocodiles.

Although its limbs were not preserved, researchers believe it moved on all fours like its close relatives. The name Tainrakuasuchus combines the Guarani words tain (tooth) and rakua (pointed) with the Greek suchus (crocodile), referring to its sharp teeth. The species name bellator, meaning “warrior” in Latin, honors the people of Rio Grande do Sul and their resilience following recent floods in the region.

A link across continents Dr Müller described the discovery as “extremely rare” and said it provides further evidence of the ancient connection between Brazil and Africa during the Triassic Period, when both were part of the supercontinent Pangaea. “The fossils we found underwent a meticulous preparation process in the laboratory, during which the surrounding rock was carefully removed,” he said. After that, the team realized the specimen represented a new species closely related to one found in Tanzania. “This connection between animals from South America and Africa can be understood in light of the Triassic Period’s paleogeography,” Dr Müller said.

“At that time, the continents were still united, which allowed the free dispersal of organisms across regions that are now separated by oceans.” The discovery, he added, highlights how diverse and complex ecosystems were even before the first dinosaurs appeared. “Tainrakuasuchus bellator’s discovery represents the complexity of the ecosystem at the time, with different pseudosuchia species varying in sizes and hunting strategies occupying specific ecological niches.” The study is published in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology.