Smilosuchus (SciiFii)

Smilosuchus horridus is a species of leptosuchomorph phytosaurid that originally lived from the Late Triassic in what is now North America as an extinct species of Smilosuchus and was once extinct, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and introduced throughout the modern temperate and subtropical rainforests, wetlands, lakes, and rivers across the Azores archipelago to help boost biodiversity. Smilosuchus horridus is the largest known species of phytosaur, growing on average in body size between 7 to 12 metres (22-39 feet) in length, making almost as large as the largest crocodyliforms such as Deinosuchus and Sarcosuchus. Like all phytosaurs, Smilosuchus has the nostrils close to the top of its head, rather than on the tip of its snout like crocodilians. The rostral crest and nasal bulge supporting these raised nostrils is larger in Smilosuchus than in many other phytosaurs. The jaws are very short and broad and the teeth are heterodont, with large tusks at the anterior of the mouth for impaling prey and more blade-like teeth for slicing flesh closer to the back of the mouth. The tusks are mounted on a bulge at the tip of the snout present in nearly all phytosaurs. Its squamosal processes are short and deep, allowing a powerful bite. This coupled with its large size allows it to hunt large prey such as many of the terrestrial dolphins, filling the similar ecological niche to macropredatory crocodilians such as Nile crocodiles, saltwater crocodiles, and American alligators, to name a few. The conservation status of Mystriosuchus modernus is Vulnerable due to some habitat loss, as well as historic poaching and persecution, however, thanks to the conservationists, this species is protected by the law and is making a comeback.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii