Allodaposuchus

The **European northern crocodile** (*Allodaposuchus europeansis*) is a species of basal eusuchian crocodyliform of the family Allodaposuchidae, despite its name, that originally lived in what is now southern Europe during the Campanian and Maastrichtian stages of the Late Cretaceous as an extinct species of *Allodaposuchus* and the genus itself was once extinct, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and introduced throughout the modern wetlands, forests, open woodlands, grasslands, shrublands, lakes, rivers, and riverbanks across Europe to help boost biodiversity. Like many other crocodylomorphs originally from the Cretaceous, the European northern crocodile has a relatively small body size compared to native modern-styled crocodylians. The largest known specimen of northern European crocodiles belong to individuals that are around 3 metres (9.8 feet) long. Although the shape slightly varies between individuals and subpopulations, in general the European northern crocodile has a short, flattened, and rounded skull. The western populations of the European northern crocodile have a brevirostrine or "short-snouted" skull with a snout about the same length as the skull table (the region of the skull behind the eye sockets) and the eastern populations have a mesorostrine or "middle-snouted" skull with a snout that is longer than the skull table. The main feature that distinguishes the European northern crocodile species from other related crocodylomorphs is the orientation of a groove at the back of the skull called the cranioquadrate passage; unlike the cranioquadrate passages of other crocodylomorphs, which are only visible at the back of the skull, the cranioquadrate passage of the European northern crocodile is visible when the head is viewed from the side. The European northern crocodile has adaptations that allows it to live on land for extended periods of time. The European northern crocodile has large sinuses in its skull that are not seen in any other crocodylian living or extinct and aids it in hearing out of water, as well as lightening the skull. Moreover, the European northern crocodile has well-developed muscle attachments on its scapula, humerus, and ulna bones that allows the forelimbs to be held in a semi-erect stance suitable for walking over land. Therefore, the European northern crocodile spends much of its time out of water, travelling between the waterways for food. Like many of the crocodylomorphs, the European northern crocodile is a carnivore that primarily feeds on animals about the same size as itself and smaller, as well as scavenging on carrion of any animal of large and rather small sizes. Like crocodiles, which are mostly cold blooded, the European northern crocodiles are ectotherms and can reduce their metabolism they can survive for longer upon a reduced amount of food.‭ European northern crocodiles are solitary, territorial and extremely aggressive. Males will tolerate females living on their territory, and females will look after their hatchlings for the first 8 months of their life, but otherwise they spend their lives alone. Nile crocodile breeding varies based on the location. The crocodiles also adjust their breeding season slightly according to the conditions. European northern crocodile breeding occurs during spring. Breeding begins as early as March but can happen as late as June, with eggs not being immediately deposited. When the conditions are acceptable, the female digs a hole and deposits the fertilized eggs. The female and the male guard the nest during the incubation period. This lasts for two to three months. After the eggs hatch, the young remain close to the female for several years. European northern crocodiles do not breed until they reach sexual maturity. Maturity is determined by the length of the crocodile. Males are prepared to breed after passing the 10-foot mark. Females are ready to breed around the 6-foot mark. Some females will not mature until they pass 7 feet in length. The conservation status of the European northern crocodile is **Least Concern** due to successful conservation efforts, the European northern crocodile's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.