Scientist have found fossils of an ancient crocodile in Tanzania called Pakasuchus kapilimai. It lived about 105 million years ago, and it was smaller than most crocs–about the size of a house cat. It also had characteristics that are more like a mammal than like a reptile. Modern crocs have a mouth full of pointy teeth, but this new find had molar-like teeth in the back of its jaw. Its nose was also more like a dog’s nose than like a typical crocodile.

Learn more about the Pakasuchus kapilimai crocodile on National Geographic News.

Get the facts on Nile crocodiles in the Creature Feature.

Picture courtesy Zina Deretsky, National Science Foundation