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Health & Science2h 18m ago
A newly identified crocodile species, Crocodylus lucivenator, lived in what is now Ethiopia from about 3.4 million to 3 million years ago, alongside Lucy and her species, Australopithecus afarensis.
what is now Ethiopia, Hadar region
Who
scientists, study author Christopher Brochu, researcher Stephanie Drumheller
What
A newly identified crocodile species, Crocodylus lucivenator, lived in what is now Ethiopia from about 3.4 million to 3 million years ago, alongside Lucy and her species, Australopithecus afarensis.
When
Wed, 17 Jun 2026 08:22:00 GMT · 2h 18m ago
Where
what is now Ethiopia, Hadar region ·
Why
This reptile occupied the top predator role in its environment and was the biggest threat to early human ancestors during that time.
The Frontline Impact
How this affects you
The discovery suggests early human ancestors, like Lucy, faced significant threats from predators near water sources, adding detail to the understanding of survival in early human evolution. It also helps explain ancient ecosystem dynamics and species persistence across changing landscapes.
Story chain
1 event in this threadNo related history yet - this is the origin event.
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