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Thursday, October 28, 2010

Photo: Armadillo-like Crocodile Fossil Found in Brazil


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An ancient crocodile with armadillo-like body armor (above, a reconstruction of the fossil in an undated picture) roamed the arid interior of Brazil about 90 million years ago, say researchers who found the fossil in São Paolo state.

In addition to its unusual bony shield, the reptile could chew like a mammal, moving its lower jaw forward and backward, researchers said in July 2009.

Photograph courtesy Paul Jurgens/FAPERJ