Suchomimus

* Evolution 2
* Database
* Evolution

* Evolution 2
* Evolution

***Suchomimus*** is a genus of spinosaurid dinosaur that originated from Early Cretaceous Africa. Recognizable by the long and shallow crocodile-like skull, *Suchomimus* is unlocked while progressing through the Security Division on Isla Pena, and can subsequently be unlocked in the Research Center.

The *Suchomimus* was first added to the game with the *Deluxe Dinosaur Pack*.

## History

*Suchomimus* was planned by InGen as an attraction in Jurassic Park on Isla Nublar, though it had yet to be cloned before the 1993 incident. A 1996 asset catalogue of the dinosaurs present on Nublar and Isla Sorna, states that 75% of the *Suchomimus* genome had been mapped. Due to its presence on InGen's list, the illegally cloned *Spinosaurus* encountered on Sorna by the survivors of a plane crash on the island in 2001 was erroneously speculated to be a *Suchomimus* by Billy Brennan.

*Suchomimus* was later cloned by InGen for Jurassic World on Isla Nublar, where it lived alongside *Baryonyx* and a selection of herbivorous dinosaurs in the Cretaceous Cruise area of the island. After the park was abandoned in 2015, surviving populations of *Suchomimus* were still extant on Nublar as of 2018.

## Characteristics

A large species of carnivorous spinosaurid dinosaur found in Africa known for its unusual appearance and closely related to the smaller *Baryonyx* and the larger *Spinosaurus*, *Suchomimus* can weigh up to two and a half tons, measure 9.5 meters in length, and is distinguished by its elongated snout and brightly colored hide – although its body is similar to that of its other relatives. Its long snout bears a closer resemblance to a modern-day crocodile; in fact, its name translates to "*Crocodile Mimic*" because of its crocodile-like snout. With large claws on its hand for catching and killing fish and small animals, its snout would have been better suited for hunting fish than the usual theropod skulls, like *Tyrannosaurus*. Only a single species is known for this genus, and unlike *Spinosaurus*, it lacked the large sail on its back. The base genome of the *Suchomimus* is dark blue, with yellow stripes and patterns across much of the body, and particularly the underbelly.

### Behaviour

*Suchomimus* is considered a "large carnivore" in the game, similar to its cousin the *Spinosaurus*. This means it can be extremely territorial and will seek out rivals to defeat. While it can be housed with some smaller carnivores quite well, any of the larger herbivores or carnivores will be sought out and challenged, even if they are physically larger than the Crocodile Mimic. *Suchomimus* can be kept alone or in a pair. Like most large carnivores, *Suchomimus* can also be kept with sauropods, except for *Nigersaurus*.

## Paleontology

*Suchomimus* is a relatively new discovery in the world of dinosaurs, with the first fossils being founded in 1997. A team led by American paleontologist Paul Sereno unearthed numerous bones while exploring a site in Gadoufaoua, Niger, including a large claw. A year later, their find was officially classified as a new genus and given the name *Suchomimus*. Other partial skeletons and fragments have been found in the wider Erlhaz Formation since then.

*Suchomimus* lived in Niger during the Early Cretaceous period. One of the largest of the spinosaurid family overshadowed only by *Spinosaurus*, the diet of *Suchomimus* mainly consisted of large fish it caught from deltas and rivers, small to medium-sized dinosaurs, pterosaurs as well as scavenged animals; whereas its narrow jaws were thought to be fragile for tackling large prey. Similar to *Spinosaurus*, *Suchomimus* had a raised vertebrae which supported a small fatty hump, which seemed to have been a common trait in many spinosaurids.

A study researched on spinosaurids concluded that they had a noticeable bite force. On the case of *Suchomimus*, its bite force is likely comparable to alligators, demonstrating a probable capability for terrestrial prey capture.

### Paleoecology

*Suchomimus* dates back to the Early Cretaceous period, around 112-121 million years ago, and lived in the tropical climate of Niger, which at the time was an inland habitat of extensive freshwater floodplains and fast-moving rivers, with a tropical climate that likely experienced seasonal dry periods. It stayed close to floodplains and rivers where vegetation and water were most plentiful.

It lived alongside a myriad of other genera of dinosaurs, including the ornithopod *Ouranosaurus*, the sauropod *Nigersaurus*, and the carcharodontosaurid *Eocarcharia*.

## Skins

 NULL

 JUNGLE

 SAVANNAH

 STEPPE

 WETLAND

 WOODLAND

## Behind the scenes

*Suchomimus* is one of the species that, despite being canon, has not appeared in any of the *Jurassic* films yet. So instead, the development team took inspiration from the design that is used in the promotional websites for *Jurassic World*, created by the renowned paleoartist Julius T. Csotonyi.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 *What Killed the Gene Guard Act?*. (February 23, 2018). Dinosaur Protection Group. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
2. ↑ Johnston, Joe. (Director). (2001). *Jurassic Park III* [Film]. Universal Pictures.
3. ↑ https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0065295
5. ↑ *Suchomimus*. (n.d.). Jurassic World. Archived from the original on March 24, 2017.