American paleontologists have created the first scientifically accurate mounted skeleton of Deinosuchus schwimmeri — a giant crocodilian that hunted dinosaurs in the Late Cretaceous period. The 9.5-meter-long reptile lived 83 to 76 million years ago on the eastern coast of North America. Researchers spent two years compiling data: they took high-resolution 3D scans of scattered fossils (jaws, vertebrae, armored plates) and used computer algorithms to mirror missing paired bones and scale elements from different specimens. During the project, they also revised the taxonomy: what was once thought to be a single widespread species turned out to include multiple isolated lineages. One questionable species, Deinosuchus rugosus, was reclassified as nomen dubium (doubtful), while another was formally recognized as D. schwimmeri — named in honor of paleontologist David Schwimmer, who dedicated over 40 years to studying these animals. The reconstruction also revealed puzzling anatomical features: two small holes (premaxillary fenestrae) at the tip of the snout, which have no direct counterpart in modern reptiles. Scientists hypothesize these might have served as thermal regulators (radiating heat from the brain) or as resonators for loud vocalizations. This physical model will now help biomechanics experts calculate bite force and test these hypotheses.
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