“The Crocodile Mimic of the Niger River”
Binomial Suchomimus tenerensis · SOO-koh-MY-mus
Early Cretaceous · 125-112 Ma
IllustrationSuchomimus fossil records in Fossil Atlas are mapped as selected modern discovery locations, with 1 source-backed records currently shown. Known from Niger, especially the Elrhaz/Echkar-region Cretaceous record of the Sahara. Key mapped formations in the current dataset include Elrhaz Formation. These pins are fossil record locations, not a complete ancient habitat map.
Suchomimus was a large spinosaurid theropod from Cretaceous Niger. Its crocodile-like snout and conical teeth make it a strong comparison point for Spinosaurus. Fossil Atlas uses selected records to connect it to Niger and Saharan fossil deposits while keeping location caveats visible.
Drawn true to scale on a metre ruler.
Length
measured11 m · 36 ft
Largest known specimens
Height
measured3.6 m · 12 ft
Body mass
estimate3,500 kg · 7,700 lb
Typical adult
Top speed
estimate29 km/h · 18 mph
Modelled, debated
Bite force
estimate3,000 lbf
Teeth
measured≈ 120
Brain : body (EQ)
estimate1.1
Encephalization quotient
Suchomimus was a large spinosaurid that hunted along river systems in what is now Niger during the Early Cretaceous. Its long, narrow snout and conical teeth are almost identical in form to Spinosaurus but on a somewhat smaller animal. The name crocodile mimic reflects the crocodilian appearance of the skull, though Suchomimus was unambiguously a theropod dinosaur.
The snout
Long and narrow with a slight expansion toward the tip, housing interlocking conical teeth. In function it is practically identical to a modern large crocodilian's jaws.
The claws
Very large curved claws on the forelimbs, probably useful for hooking fish from the water or pinning larger prey on land.
The sail
A low ridge of elongated spines along the back, smaller than Spinosaurus' sail but present. Its function is equally unclear.
The skeleton
Suchomimus is known from a nearly complete skeleton, which is unusual for a large spinosaurid and makes it one of the better-understood members of the family.
Position of this animal’s known range across 252 million years of the Mesozoic and beyond.
125-112 million years ago
Suchomimus means crocodile mimic.
Its long snout and conical teeth point to fish-catching adaptations.
It gives the atlas a second spinosaurid without duplicating Spinosaurus.
Suchomimus creates a natural bridge to Niger and Echkar-region content.
Paul Sereno and his team found the skeleton in Gadoufaoua, a fossil-rich site in Niger, in 1997. The find was important partly because it was unusually complete for a large African theropod, and partly because it confirmed the spinosaurid body plan was widespread across the continent well before the better-known North African giants. Suchomimus predates Spinosaurus by around 25 million years.
Animals known from the same deposits and time as Suchomimus.
Nigersaurus
A sauropod from the same Elrhaz Formation in Niger with an unusually wide, forward-facing set of teeth adapted for ground-level feeding.
Lurdusaurus
A very heavily built ornithopod from the same deposits, unusual for its low, broad build.
Ouranosaurus
A large iguanodontid with a sail-like structure on its back, sharing the same Niger river-system environment.
Other members of Spinosauridae.
Spinosaurus
The larger, later North African spinosaurid and the most famous member of the family.
Baryonyx
A European spinosaurid from roughly the same time period with similar fish-catching adaptations.
Irritator
A Brazilian spinosaurid showing the family had reached South America by the Early Cretaceous.
Pins show selected fossil records for Suchomimus; use them as modern discovery evidence, not a complete range map. Modern fossil discovery map: pins show where selected fossil and specimen records were found today, not ancient Earth positions. What does this mean?
Specimen evidence
These are sourced specimen assets, separate from reconstruction artwork. Only media with clear open or reusable rights is displayed by default.
Suchomimus is represented here by selected fossil records from known from niger, especially the elrhaz/echkar-region cretaceous record of the sahara. Fossil Atlas maps those records as modern discovery locations.
No. The map shows modern fossil discovery locations from selected records. Ancient habitat and paleogeographic reconstructions are separate questions.
The current Fossil Atlas records include Elrhaz Formation. Formation coverage depends on the selected dataset and may not be complete.
Yes. Use the expedition card generator to turn the Suchomimus map and specimen profile into a shareable card.
Selected fossil records from PBDB and museum biodiversity aggregators. This is not a complete fossil count by country; source labels and confidence notes help distinguish canonical paleobiology records from specimen-media records.
Reconstruction images are labeled illustrations and do not represent fossil evidence. Size, speed, and bite-force figures are typical published estimates and remain subject to revision as new specimens are described.
Maps use curated PBDB, museum, and specimen-source records with visible caveats.
Pins show where fossils were found or reported today, not exact ancient habitat positions.
Artwork is labeled separately from specimen photos, maps, and source records.
Request desk
Request another dinosaur like Suchomimus, submit a correction, or tell us what would make this page useful as a printable card.
Tell us which dinosaur or fossil site to map next, flag a correction, suggest a new pin, or request a card pack. Hit the button to open a prefilled email. We read every one.
Email request