Barinasuchus

Barinosuchus arveloi

Last updated: October 29, 2022
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
© 825 × 485 pixels, file size: 200 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg – License / Original

Largest terrestrial predator of the Cenozoic era


Advertisement


Barinasuchus Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Reptilia
Order
Crocodylia
Family
Sebecidae
Genus
Barinosuchus
Scientific Name
Barinosuchus arveloi

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Barinasuchus Conservation Status

Barinasuchus Locations

Barinasuchus Locations

Barinasuchus Facts

Prey
Likely other reptiles, mammals, and birds
Fun Fact
Largest terrestrial predator of the Cenozoic era
Biggest Threat
Geologic and climate changes
Most Distinctive Feature
Long legs for running on land
Distinctive Feature
Ziphodont teeth with sharp serrated edges
Other Name(s)
Barinasuchus arveloi
Habitat
Land, possibly in wooded or open areas near the giant wetlands of what is now South America
Diet
Carnivore
Favorite Food
Meat
Number Of Species
1
Location
Argentina, Peru and Venezuela

Barinasuchus Physical Characteristics

Weight
Estimated 3500 to 3800 pounds
Length
Estimated 20 to 32 feet
Aggression
High

This post may contain affiliate links to our partners like Chewy, Amazon, and others. Purchasing through these helps us further the A-Z Animals mission to educate about the world's species.

View all of the Barinasuchus images!



The Barinasuchus was the largest terrestrial predator to live in the Cenozoic era!

The Barinasuchus lived during the early Cenozoic era, from the mid-Eocene epoch until the mid-Miocene.  It was the largest terrestrial predator known to have lived during the so-called Age of Mammals. This huge reptile, which is estimated to have been up to 32 feet long, lived its life on land, like the other members of the Sebecidae family. Unlike other semi-aquatic crocodylomorphs, it had long legs better suited for running than swimming.  

Named for Barinas, Venezuela, the city near where one of the specimens was found, this gigantic reptile is estimated to have been about the size of an Allosaurus. It had a skull the size of the Daspletosaurus, a direct ancestor of Tyrannosaurus rex, and had serrated knife-like teeth that were very similar to those of the therapod dinosaurs.

2,762 People Couldn't Ace This Quiz

Think You Can?

Incredible Barinasuchus Facts

  • Like many other extinct reptiles, Barinasuchus had similarities to modern crocodilians, but it was actually from the Sebecidae family.
  • Like other Sebecids, Barinasucus was terrestrial, not semi-aquatic.
  • Barinasuchus had long legs situated directly under its body, much like a large mammalian predator. These were good for running on land but not for swimming.
  • Only three Barinasuchus specimens have been found, and none included bones posterior to the skull.
  • Barinasuchus lived in what is now South America and probably feasted on a variety of Miocene mammals, birds and other reptiles.

Description and Size

Barinasuchus
As the largest terrestrial predator of its time, the Barinasuchus probably ate pretty much any animal that crossed its path.

©3,080 × 868 pixels, file size: 192 KB, MIME type: image/png – License

Almost everything we know about the size and appearance of Barinasuchus arveloi is an educated guess. That is because only three specimens have been found, each a partial skull, and no other bones. A bit more is known about other members of the Sebecidae family, which B. arveloi was placed in based on the fossils scientists did have available.

Based on other Sebecids, Barinasuchus would have had long legs situated directly under its body. These legs would have looked and functioned more like those of large mammalian predators than modern crocodiles. They would have been excellent for the terrestrial life of this huge reptile. They would not have been great for swimming.

The tail of the Barinasuchus would have probably been shorter than semi-aquatic crocodylomorphs in relation to the rest of its body. Its estimated body length, using similar reptiles for comparison, would have been somewhere between 6.3 and 10 meters, or 20 to 32 feet. That is at least 50 percent larger than the next biggest terrestrial predator at that time.  

Its weight is harder to estimate, given the lack of bones to study. Researchers believe it was between 1,610 and 1,720 kilograms, or roughly 3,500 to 3,800 pounds. This is about the size of the theropod, Allosaurus fragilis.

A Look at the Skulls

Based on the three known specimens, the skull of B. arveloi is estimated to be between 95 cm and 115 cm in length and about 40 cm high. The snout was approximately the same size of the Daspletosaurus, a theropod thought to be the direct ancestor of Tyrannosaurus rex. This massive snout was shorter and deeper, relative to its size, than those of modern crocodilians. It had more places where muscles would have attached, giving it a very strong bite.

The Barinasuchus had teeth much like theropods. They were ziphodont in structure, meaning that they were compressed laterally, serrated and curved backward. Those sharp, serrated edges of the teeth, like a giant steak knife, were perfectly adapted for ripping flesh.

What Did Barinasuchus Eat?

As the largest terrestrial predator of its time, the Barinasuchus probably ate pretty much any animal that crossed its path. Because it lived in the early Cenozoic era, its food sources would have likely included other reptiles, mammals and even large birds.

Depending on its metabolism, the Barinasuchus may have needed to conserve energy when hunting. It could have easily done this by waiting, hidden along wooded paths, and ambushing its prey in a quick attack. Of course, with it’s enormous size and long legs, it would not have had a hard time chasing other animals. That is, at least over short distances.

Habitat – Where and When It Lived

Barinasuchus lived from the middle of the Eocene epoch to the middle of the Miocene, based on the age of the rocks surrounding the three known specimens. This would put its earliest emergence somewhere between 56 and 33.9 million years ago. It is believed to have gone extinct during the Miocene epoch, around 12 million years ago.

Three specimens have been found to date, each in the western part of what is now South America. Although sprawling wetlands and rivers covered much of northern South America, Barinasuchus lived its life on land, not in the water.

Threats and Predators

Barinasuchus was most likely the apex predator in the time and place where it lived. As such, it may have faced threats in the form of large, reptilian competitors. However, it was not likely to be eaten by other predators. Instead, it is thought that geologic and climate changes were the biggest threats that this reptile endured.  

Discoveries and Fossils – Where Was Barinasuchus Found?

Barinasuchus specimens have been found in three locations in South America. One specimen was found in rocks from the mid-Eocene epoch in the Divisadero Largo Formation in Argentina. The other two were both found in rocks from the mid-Miocene epoch. One was discovered in the Parángula Formation near Barinas, Venezuela. Another was located in the Ipururo Formation in Peru. All three specimens were partial skulls, with no other bones found.

Extinction – When Did Barinasuchus Die Out?

It is thought that Barinasuchus went extinct around 12 million years ago. Researchers believe that a combination of factors contributed to the extinction of this and many other species during the Miocene epoch. These would have included the uplift of the Andes mountain range and the drying of the wetland and massive river systems in South America. Cooling atmospheric temperatures at the time would have also been difficult on large, ectothermic animals like the Barinasuchus. It most likely suffered due to its inability to regulate its own body temperature in the changing climate.

Similar Animals to the Barinasuchus

  • Deinosuchus – A reptile that lived in North America 82 to 73 million years ago. Roughly the same size as S. gregorii.
  • Sarcosuchus – A giant crocodyliform that resided in the area that is now the Sahara. It lived approximately 133 to 112 million years ago.
  • Smilosuchus – A crocodile-like reptile from the Mesozoic era that lived in an area from Arizona to the Texas panhandle.

View all 283 animals that start with B

About the Author

Tavia discovered she had a gift for teaching when she was 21 years old. Having recently changed her major from engineering to wildlife biology, she was thrilled to take on an internship with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. She began her work excited about going into the field and saving endangered species, but soon realized she could make the biggest difference by helping to educate young people about animals, the environment and science in general. Tavia loves all animals, especially the ones that need our help the most. Over the years, she has cared for many pets, including snakes, toads, a tarantula, tree frogs, a salamander, hissing cockroaches, mice, donkeys, calves, horses, and a number of cats and dogs, but dogs are definitely her favorite! She believes that together, we can make our world a better place.

Barinasuchus FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

When was Barinasuchus alive?

Barinasuchus lived from the mid-Eocene epoch, which began 56 millon years ago, to the mid-Miocene epoch. It was perhaps the largest terrestrial predator to live in the Cenozoic era.

What happened to Barinasuchus?

The single Barinasuchus species died out around 12 million years ago, probably due to geologic and climate changes in South America.

How many species of Barinasuchus existed?

There was one species – Barinasuchus arveloi.

How big was Barinasuchus?

Barinasuchus is estimated to have been from 20 to 32 feet long and between 3,500 and 3,800 pounds.

What did Barinasuchus eat?

Barinasuchus arveloi was an apex predator that probably ate other reptiles, mammals and even birds.

Was Barinasuchus a good swimmer?

Barinasuchus was probably not a good swimmer. It had long legs more adapted to running on land than being in the water.

Where was Barinasuchus found?

Only three Barinasuchus specimens have been found, all in South America. They were found in Argentina, Venezuela and Peru.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. Mind at.org, Available here: https://www.mindat.org/taxon-8542238.html
  2. Memoirs of Museum Victoria, Available here: https://museumsvictoria.com.au/media/4260/363-377_mmv74_molnar_6_web.pdf
  3. Fossilworks, Available here: http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=192478

Newly Added Animals

A Lipstick Albino Boa
Lipstick Albino Boa

Lipstick albino boas are a designer morph that you'll only find from breeders.

A Cow Reticulated Python
Cow Reticulated Python

Cow reticulated pythons hatch solid white, then develop spots as they mature.

A scissor tailed flycatcher
scissor tailed flycatcher

Scissor-tailed flycatchers are known for their dramatically long tails!

Most Recently Updated Animals

A Bismarck Ringed Python
Bismarck Ringed Python

When these snakes are babies, they look like Halloween snakes with their bright orange and black bands.

A Nose-Horned Viper
Nose-Horned Viper

The fangs of a nose-horned viper can be as long as half an inch!

A Eyelash Viper
Eyelash Viper

While the eyelash viper can be a pet, be cautious – they are extremely venomous!