What does the term crocodylian bring to mind? A big reptile with a chomping jaw? Crocodylians are the 27 species of crocodiles, alligators, caimans and gharials that live all over Earth today, except for in Europe and Antarctica. There are some smaller species, but these top predators are usually big, at least 2 meters long. They also share a general shape and look – for instance, how easily can you tell an alligator and a crocodile apart? The fossil record of crocodylians is much richer, though, with many different forms and body sizes and extraordinary ecological diversity. Over their long…

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