Suchomimus tenerensis

Suchomimus was a large, predatory theropod dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 125 to 112 million years ago, in what is now northern Africa, specifically in modern-day Niger. A member of the spinosaurid family, closely related to Baryonyx, Suchomimus was distinguished by its long, narrow, crocodile-like snout, which was filled with conical teeth suited for grasping fish, suggesting it had a diet primarily focused on aquatic prey. Estimated to reach lengths of up to 33 feet (10 meters) and weighing around 2 to 3 tons, Suchomimus was a relatively large and robust predator, although not as massive as some of its spinosaurid relatives like Spinosaurus. Its body was built for speed and agility, with long, powerful hind limbs and a long tail that likely aided in both swimming and balance while running.

The long, narrow skull of Suchomimus was one of its most distinctive features, and it is thought to have been adapted for a specialized feeding strategy, possibly stalking fish in shallow waters, much like modern-day herons or crocodiles. Fossil evidence, including partial skeletons and teeth, indicates that Suchomimus had a relatively flexible neck, which would have been advantageous in maneuvering its head to capture slippery, fast-moving prey. While fish were likely a primary component of its diet, it is possible that Suchomimus also hunted small dinosaurs and other terrestrial prey, given its relatively robust forelimbs with large claws, which might have been used for grasping or tearing at prey.

The discovery of Suchomimus was significant for paleontologists, as it helped to further clarify the ecological diversity of the spinosaurid group, which is now understood to include both semi-aquatic and terrestrial hunters. The fossil evidence also provided important insights into the anatomical adaptations of these large theropods, particularly the evolution of their elongated snouts, which set them apart from other theropods and allowed them to exploit a unique ecological niche, primarily focused on aquatic environments.