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Gavialosuchus americanus, lower jaw with teeth

Gavialosuchus americanus

The false gharials, a type of crocodylian, were widespread throughout the world during the Miocene between 25 million years BP- 5 million years BP. They inhabited the coastal regions of Eurasia, and North and Central America when worldwide climate was warmer than it is today. With their long snouts and rows of sharp teeth, they were well adapted for catching the fish that abounded in salt marshes and saltwater lagoons. Fossil evidence of false gharials has been found along the eastern seaboard of North America from Florida to as far north as New Jersey. Gaviolosuchus americanus is the species that lived in eastern North America during the late Miocene, while G. carolinensis occurred here during the Oligocene (33 million years BP- 25 million years BP). The false gharials likely arose as early as the Eocene.