A research team in Egypt has identified a new crocodile species that lived approximately 80 million years ago, marking a major step forward in the study of prehistoric life in North Africa. The crocodile species was found in Egypt’s Western Desert, where scientists uncovered fossil remains that shed new light on the early evolution of marine crocodiles.
The discovery, led by the Mansoura University Vertebrate Paleontology Center, revealed what is now considered the oldest known member of Dyrosauridae, a group of marine crocodiles that survived the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous period.
The fossils were unearthed from Cretaceous rock formations made of red sandstone and green clay, deposited in shallow coastal waters of the ancient Tethys Ocean.
Advanced imaging reveals fossil details
Professor Hesham Sallam, founder of the Mansoura center and senior author of the study, said that high-resolution CT scans and 3D modeling allowed researchers to study previously unseen anatomical details.
The team examined two partial skulls and two snout fragments, belonging to four individual crocodiles at different stages of growth.
Our new discovery from Egypt’s Western Desert !
Meet Wadisuchus kassabi—an 80-million-year-old crocodile that reveals Africa as the birthplace of seagoing crocs that once ruled ancient coastlines. pic.twitter.com/b7ri8r6DSP— Hesham Sallam (@heshamsallam) October 27, 2025
The species has been named Wadisuchus kassabi. The genus name references the Wadi area near the Kharga and Baris oases, while Suchus is linked to the ancient Egyptian crocodile deity Sobek. The species name honors Ahmed Kassebi, one of the early contributors to vertebrate paleontology in Egypt.
Unique skull features of the ancient crocodile
Dr. Sara Saber, the study’s lead author and assistant lecturer at Assiut University, identified several unique features of the animal. It had only four teeth at the front of its snout instead of the typical five, nostrils positioned on top for surface breathing, and a deep notch at the jaw joint.
She estimated the crocodile’s length between 3.5 and 4 meters (11.5 to 13 feet), with a long, narrow snout well-suited for catching fish and sea turtles.
Saber said the findings suggest Dyrosauridae may have originated in Africa earlier than previously thought, likely diversifying between 87 and 83 million years ago.
Evolutionary origins of crocodile species found in Egypt
The evolutionary analysis, led by Bilal Salem of Ohio University and Benha University, consistently placed Wadisuchus kassabi at the base of the Dyrosauridae lineage.
Salem noted this supports the idea that the group began in Africa before spreading to other continents, including Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
Sallam added that the lightweight and porous structure of the skull bones likely improved mobility in water, highlighting an important stage in the development of marine adaptations in dyrosaurids.
The full research findings were published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.
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