Tag archives for Tanzania

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Prehistoric Crocodile Like a Mammal

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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

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Lion Steals Camera!

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Will and Matt Burrard-Lucas wanted to test their new invention, a remote-controlled buggy-mounted camera in Tanzania. The “Beetlecam,” outfitted with powerful motors, off-road tires, long-lasting batteries, and a digital SLR camera, can enter places where people can’t go. It takes pictures at set intervals or by remote control, but when the Burrard-Lucas brothers tried to take pictures of lions from a distance with the BeetleCam, a curious lioness made off with it!

The lions destroyed the camera, but its memory card was recovered in one piece, giving us a glimpse of the photographs the lion “photographer” took.

See more pictures and read more about the lion photographer on National Geographic News.

Play Crittercam: African Adventure and recover more footage of lions!

Photograph by Will and Matt Burrard-Lucas