Megaraptor named Joaquinraptor casali discovered with final meal still in its mouth

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While Tyrannosaurus rex ruled North America, a different predator dominated ancient Argentina: Joaquinraptor casali. This newly discovered megaraptor lived around 70 million years ago, measured over 23 feet long, and had a long snout and powerful arms with massive claws. It belonged to a group of mysterious predators that thrived in regions where tyrannosaurs were absent.

The most striking part of the find was a fossilized crocodile arm bone lodged in the dinosaur’s jaws—a rare glimpse into what may have been its last meal. Such preserved behavior is incredibly rare and offers direct insight into prehistoric predator-prey interactions.

The fossil was exceptionally well preserved, with many bones still in position. This makes it one of the most complete megaraptor specimens ever found. The state of the remains suggests the croc bone wasn't randomly mixed in, but truly part of the dinosaur’s final moments.

Megaraptors have long intrigued scientists. Though widespread, their fossils are usually fragmentary, making it hard to understand their biology. This discovery adds crucial information about their anatomy and behavior near the end of the dinosaur era.

Unearthed in Patagonia in 2019, the site preserved the dinosaur’s remains in lifelike arrangement. No other animal bones were nearby, further supporting the idea that the crocodile was part of its last meal—not a coincidence of fossil mixing.

If confirmed, the find offers one of the clearest fossil “snapshots” of a predator with its prey. It suggests that megaraptors like Joaquinraptor were still thriving at the very end of the Cretaceous, capturing prey right up until the moment everything changed.

Source: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/dinosaur-megaraptor-new-fossil-argentina-final-meal?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Edited October 15, 2025 by FfFfFfFF

[Purrrrrr 18,123]

Crocodiles really just be existing as they are

they probably pass down stories and are currently like "dont worry child we outlived the dino extinction, these human rodents will be gone in a blink and we will remain supreme"

whilst looking like this under the sheets

 

Edited October 15, 2025 by Zombiecat

[FfFfFfFF 58,286]

42 minutes ago, Zombiecat said:

Crocodiles really just be existing as they are

they probably pass down stories and are currently like "dont worry child we outlived the dino extinction, these human rodents will be gone in a blink and we will remain supreme"

whilst looking like this under the sheets

 

They reached their evolutionary apex after inserting themselves into the LDR universe so they could listen to exclusive unreleased Lana demos  

(Yes, my European mind equates alligators and crocodiles )

[Purrrrrr 18,123]

4 minutes ago, FfFfFfFF said:

They reached their evolutionary apex after inserting themselves into the LDR universe so they could listen to exclusive unreleased Lana demos  

(Yes, my European mind equates alligators and crocodiles )

Alligators descend from prehistoric crocodiles so meh, same thing  i think alligators are just bigger and meaner but what do i know, I'm in the UK not florida 

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