Pseudosuchia: An Overview Of The Prehistoric Relatives Of Crocodilians

Pseudosuchia is the clade consisting of crocodilians and all the extinct reptiles more closely related to them than to any living species. Beneath this formal definition lays a once dynamic and diverse group reptiles that were far more than simply minor variations of today's crocodilians. Pseudosuchia is one of the two branches of the clade Archosauria, the ruling reptiles. This is the same clade that contained the dinosaurs, and pseudosuchians possessed many of the same traits that made their more famous cousins so successful. Indeed, during the Triassic Period, it was not dinosaurs but the pseudosuchians who were the dominant megafauna. Afterwards, they remained the most persistent competitors of the dinosaurs.
Pseudosuchia included small, pug-nosed plant-eaters, large tank-like species, species which became fully aquatic, as well as the largest terrestrial predators to terrorize the Earth after the demise of the dinosaurs. Even the semi-aquatic crocodile-like species were highly diverse, including specialized mollusk crushers, dedicated plant-eaters, and even bus-sized species able to match the largest carnivorous dinosaurs. Despite their former diversity and evolutionary success, most prehistoric pseudosuchians remain obscure compared to dinosaurs or pterosaurs.
This video aims to help change that by providing an overview of Pseudosuchia, the other half of the fascinating success story that was Archosauria. The first half of the video covers a range of subject related to the clade, ranging from their metabolisms to evolutionary trends in their skulls and limbs. The second half of the video provides a synopsis of each major pseudosuchian subclade and a number of individual species of note, as well as providing a basic idea of how all these reptiles (including modern crocodilians) fit together.
Thank you to the themattalorian for narrating this video and to Armin Reindl for narrating the script.
00:00 - Introduction
03:23 - Origin
05:26 - Classification
08:20 - Modern Crocodilian Diversity
09:41 - Etymology
13:15 - Evolutionary History
15:55 - Modern Crocodilian Ecologies
17:24 - Diets and Teeth
20:26 - Skulls
24:26 - Limbs
29:28 - Metabolism
32:24 - Integument
37:03 - Reproduction
38:52 - Imposter Crocodiles
41:02 - Phytosaurs: Crocodilian Mimics
43:43 - Basal Pseudosuchians
45:30 - Ornithosuchidae: Big-Headed Carnivores
47:06 - Aetosaurs: Tank Crocs
49:00 - Poposauroidea: Ragtag Misfits
52:43 - Loricata and the Rauisuchians: The Top Triassic Predators
56:36 - Basal Crocodylomorphs
58:36 - Protosuchians: The Next Stage
1:01:02 - Thalattosuchia: Sea Crocodiles
1:05:39 - Notosuchia: The Pseudosuchian Resurgence
1:16:22 - Neosuchia: The Almost-Crocodiles
1:25:00 - True Crocodilians
1:33:01 - Mekosuchinae: The Australian Crocodilians
1:35:34 - Conclusion
1:39:10 - Outro

[@clomiancalcifer]

I was going to comment that there's a critique in calling crocodilians the closest extent relatives of the dinosaurs...but then realized you were big braining the unsaid point that extant birds ARE dinosaurs...well played CHimerasuchus...well played.

[@someoneelse1259]

I was about to do the same, we got bamboozled

[@hardkoregamer1981]

Scientists can never make up their minds on anything their minds are like revolving doors.

[@someoneelse1259]

@@hardkoregamer1981 we are constanlty learning, debate is good, because you might leaen something new

[@frankmaynes3608]

Hmm good point

[@PerpetualBass]

I'm surprised any of you made it that long before having to object with an "Uhm, actually..."

[@babyblue1443]

The fact that the thumbnail literally looks like a more 60's version of a t rex vs ankylosaurus makes me honestly amazed lol

[@SlothOfTheSea]

I love the fact that crocodilians are actually very derived animals. It’s a common notion that they’re primitive predators, but in reality, they only re-evolved quadrupedalism and large body sizes. Simply metal.

[@NickWeissMusic]

I heard they possibly went back to cold blood from warm… even more metal

[@AnonymousTranquility]

It’s unfortunate this group of reptiles doesn’t get as much attention as the dinosaurs. This group is truly remarkable for shrugging off two-three major extinction events. Possibly even another if we take the conservation of their extant members more seriously. This was an amazing video that gave me a lot more insight into the true diversity of this group of animals.

[@markdebruyn1212]

I think it is because all terrestrial dinosaurs are gone, while crocodilians have still a good amount of living species and that makes just less interesting for most people

[@kmfdm5]

I couldn’t agree more

[@brianhammer5107]

oh, I think in real-world terms, crocodiles are thought of by a great number of people in Africa, India, and Indonesia very, very often - in self-preservation mode!

[@brianhammer5107]

@@markdebruyn1212 um, ever seen an ostrich? roadrunner? emu?

[@markdebruyn1212]

@@brianhammer5107 Yes, but most people when think dinosaurs, they think about the non-avian dinosaurs and there is no bird that look like those dinosaurs

[@alexandermorrison1010]

Great work Chimera! I can tell this video was a labor of love for you. I believe all the viewers here with the interest for the underrated Pseudosuchians, indeed are appreciative of your efforts. Preciate you man.

[@terrypeyton9148]

I knew about dienosucus before these videos but didn't know how many other croc dinos there were or how they dominated certain periods in the time line. So the video is very in formative and gives me way more appreciation for old croc species and leaves me interest for more

[@alexandermorrison1010]

@@terrypeyton9148 Indeed all these animals and their unique appearance and behaviors are sadly unknown to most of the public.

[@marc-andrebrunet5386]

I agree 💯👍

[@titanofserpents4315]

It really is a shame that these guys don't get that much attention in media. I remember that when I first learned about the sheer diversity of crocodylomorphs as a kid, I thought it was the coolest thing ever.

[@dinohall2595]

As expected, this video did not disappoint. This and the earlier 50-minute overview of Triassic dinosaurs are a dream come true for fans of prehistoric reptiles, and their quality is high enough that I can see a college paleontology professor using them as an introduction to the discipline. Your passion for this group of animals is crystal clear, and I look forward to seeing which pseudosuchians you will cover in the future!

[@MegaRaptorEN]

Putting such dedication into a video is a great inspiration for us other creators too, thank you👏

[@rileyernst9086]

If you have ever seen photos or film of a crocodile dissection the first thing that strikes you is; they're built, there is so much on a modern crocodilian that is just muscle; that is raw power. It's like birds used their archosaurian inheritance to for spectacular feather displays, to optimise flight, and for so many other purposes whilst crocs decided to see how much muscle they could pack on like the ultimate gymbros. Something like quinkana fortistrum would be gnarlly. A large sebeccid like a 6m barinasuchus would have been a sight to behold and downright terrific when in action.

[@alexandermorrison1010]

No doubt about how terrifying Barina or Quinkana would be should they still exist. People mistakenly fear mega-theropods, I'd be far more uneasy of the larger terrestrial pseudosuchians since we'd be large enough to be worthy of predation.

[@rileyernst9086]

The way I see it; you might just be snack sized to a trex, but who isn't to say that trex didn't enjoy snacking, if you're easily caught you're worth eating, comes to investment in effort although I can't believe the extended chase scenes that you see in movies. And if a trex is going to bother, we'll its the biggest, with the biggest dietary requirements... What I think is underappreciated is your giant azdarchids or haasts eagle. Something that can swoop out of the sky, impale and gobble you down is terrifying. Or you know gallop you down like a giant terrifying dragon of yore. Or in the case of the Haast's something that can flit between trees at 80kmph and hit you like a sledge hammer armed with 6 inch claws, and enough raptorial gripping strength to casually pop your ribcage apart.

[@royarg8603]

I'm blown away that you could make such wonderful, well-researched content on a niche portion of the fossil record and give it away for free. Thank you, seriously, this is an awesome video. One day I'll wow my kids by explaning to them what phytosaurs and pseudosuchids were and it'll be thanks to you. Happy new year!

[@tranquil_dude]

I like how all the respective dominant omniote groups of the Permian, Trassic & Jurassic/Cretaceous periods all went through a bottleneck after their respective heydays before evolving into their present varieties: - therapsids -> cynodonts -> modern mammals - pseudosuchians -> sphenosuchians -> modern crocodylomorphs - dinosaurs -> the groups of birds that survived the KP mass extinction -> modern birds

[@Bake-kurijra]

That idea of a crocodile Jurassic park just inspired me

[@Piriphu]

Over an hour and a half long video about pseudosuchia? I must be dreaming, this is all I ever wanted! It's stuff like this that makes you my favorite paleo youtuber!

[@SimonORorke]

Wonderful! I must’ve seen all your shorter videos on specific pseudosuchians. It’s great to have them put into collective perspective.

[@Kittonkitkat]

I start a new job today and watching this on the carpark before I go in to chill, thank you! I'll watch it in full later when I get home. I can't wait! X

[@thalmoragent9344]

I like how they eventually decided on the typical form we see today quite a while back as their "ideal form" and kept it up with very minimal changes since.

[@destrorso2505]

They weren't even the firsts tho

[@gregjones2217]

I would wonder why anyone would think the current form is the final form.

[@mikesnyder1788]

My 2024 new year is off to a great start! Thanks so much for the hard work in assembling all this fascinating information about the Pseudosuchia. Much, much appreciation!!!

[@jamesabernethy7896]

Your videos are always great but this one has been amazing. Even though I've seen so many of your videos this one has been an eye opener. Even though there has been so much variation within different lineages... this shows that they truly filler every niche while often maintaining those recognisable characteristics. Great work in an underrepresented subject. Beautiful images that really set the scene.

[@veggieboyultimate]

This is an encyclopedia worth of information. Thank you very much.

[@patreekotime4578]

A short video explaining just the cladistics and naming conventions of this group, with some illustrative charts is greatly greatly needed. I enjoyed this but kept getting lost!

[@mymom1462]

Holy fuck. I can't believe this documentary is free. Now I can finally eat lunch fully engaged! Thank you.

[@tardismole]

Most excellent. I love crocodiles. They don't get enough attention.

[@baum8981]

How much would you like to know about extinct crocodillians? Yes!

[@denderrant]

This is amazing. What an incredible resource to have available now! Thank you so much for all the time and effort that went into this!

[@chimerasuchus]

You're welcome!

[@nyeti7759]

I always enjoy your videos, but you really have outdone yourselves this time. Excellently written, well paced, thorough without getting bogged down in detail, and narrated in fine style. This is how long-form KZbin videos should be done. I'm delighted to see such a diverse, fascinating, and underrated group of animals as Pseudosuchia get such a high quality treatment.

[@jethrojangles9541]

This is the video where I realised this channel's providing actual subtitles, thank you so much!

[@Captain_Gargoyle]

Awesome video. Pseudosuchia is so underrepresented given how diverse it was. I had no idea there were so many cool animals in this clade. I learned about Postosuchus and Desmatosuchus in the 0's and that's about where my knowledge stopped lol. Great job!

[@chrisslaughter8448]

good lord man congratulations on the feature length film!!! i’m so excited to watch this!!!

[@robertzantay5923]

As a lifetime supporter of all things reptile I learned more from your video, concerning Crocodiles than any other video or film

[@jasonhechler9520]

Amazing and thorough video about one of the most underrated groups of animals around! Thanks for sharing this!

[@raghaviyer3065]

im impressed by the effort and research put in this video. massive props

[@CJ-BZ]

Educational and engaging. This is a masterclass for this channel! great stuff

[@Tarbtano]

Easily THE definitive take on the subject online. And one I've been dying to see covered for a long time. The remarks on feathers I felt was especially fantastic given it is one of those very tantalizing "What if?'s in paleontology given the genetic and environmental links. Whilst evidence is lacking and it is unlikely, I'm not going to be too too shocked if something surprising from the Triassic turns up. Especially given how readily some dinosaur families seemed to switch back and forth from 'scales' to feathers.

[@Dragrath1]

Very long but worth it to finally finish it is sad how this lineage of creatures has been so thoroughly neglected

[@evantiel727]

I've been here since the very first videos you have made, and honestly seeing this video is like a magnus opus and i cant wait for even more like this! Keep the amazing work!

[@helmaschine1885]

Videos like these help when I'm either feeling anxious or trying to calm down for sleep. You're a gem for producing educational material like this. Especially for crediting the artists and spurces of the art and images too. ❤

[@Soilfood365]

This was absolutely fantastic. I had to put off watching it until I had time, and really glad I watched it when I could focus. Fantastic script, fantastic narration, and a wonderful overview. Thanks!

[@sarahjean3670]

Love that you credit images. Class act.

[@fatalsilencesol0q881]

The longer format of the video is good

[@davycard760]

Thank you for having accurate captioning! This channel has won my heart :) Edit: Forgot to mention how amazing the paleoart is! You've found some extremely talented artists, and I hope this video gives their skills more recognition. I have endless admiration for paleoartists, and I think it's awesome that there's a whole community of people dedicated to bringing current scientific findings to life. Absolutely stunning!

[@aindrilaroy4464]

This is such a wonderful video. So well researched and detailed. Thank you for making a video that focuses on the Pseudosuchia. They don’t get enough love.

[@MrKingkz]

Pseudosuchia is one of my favorite clades good work

[@LoudmouthReviews]

I remember seeing a 20 foot crocodile up close and being astounded by its size and power. It looked like it could swallow me whole. Fascinating creatures that deserve more representation. I’m glad the last season of Prehistoric Planet gave crocodilomorphs some representation

[@joey2765]

1 hr 30 min let's go🔥🔥

[@chubibi06]

Loved it. You gathered so much datas in a single video ; i can"t thank you enough for the hard work. Pseudosuchia are amazing ! If you're willing to do the work, i'm all about learning more about crocs !

[@GenghisDon1970]

extra kudos for showing no fear of you tube...this was movie/documentary length, and fantastic!

[@thedoruk6324]

This channel is just perfect

[@chimerasuchus]

Thank you.

[@thedoruk6324]

​@@chimerasuchusvery welcome. Crocs are always unique

[@notquitenick8442]

thank you for putting this together, its amazing to have such a comprehensive and entertaining resource on an underrated topic

[@5isalivegaming72]

Encore!! Encore! The timing was absolutely perfect. I just got to the closing statements and we just crossed new years. It's litteraly jumping off here 😂🤣🤣🤣 Uhg.. I'm gettin old

[@mechwarrior13]

Great informative info without being boring. Parents were wondering wtf was i watching during diner tonight haha

[@IlmarBeekman]

My favorite channel strikes again!

[@GenghisDon1970]

incredible doc! BRAVO!

[@kuitaranheatmorus9932]

Amazing job on this video and I love it so much ❤

[@golddragonette7795]

An amazing overview of a ,massive clade! Clint's Reptiles has a great video on extant crocs that covers more of the weird common names of them too

[@bentruitt9401]

Excellent excellent video!!

[@VanessaScrillions]

Absolutely love your channel. This video is AMAZING. thank you so much for making us these incredible edutainment videos!!!

[@rileyernst9086]

Thanks for everything you have done and will do with your channel. Thanks for bringing light and love to these magnificent dragons of yore.

[@esoteric_mememaster]

I will watch this in its' entirety while high and without any sleep, while also listening to extreme music.

[@joeshmoe8345]

Amazing, thanks a bunch for sharing with us Big Dog!

[@tinyelvenmitten1774]

Wow what a huge video for such a good cause! I immediately linked it to all my friends, people need to know more about the amazing diversity of crocodilians ;;0;; Thank you so much for your hard work, this was amazingly well put together!

[@Lomi311]

Great video! Must have taken so much work and we really appreciate it!

[@milosinclair4002]

This video is really just fantastic. On my third rewatch.

[@josephmcphee9143]

That was a very thorough scholarly video. I think I will have to watch it again to catch everything. Thank you and Happy New Year.

[@louiemercado5595]

Good work on the overview on Pseudosuchia, my friend! I hope every pseudosuchian will have some attention.

[@kujaneck]

Love all the fantastic artwork!

[@nazzkid23]

this was SUCH a great watch! I learned so much!! 🐊

[@michaelcox9855]

First video of yours I have seen. Well done, and very informative.

[@iksarguards]

What an amazing surprise, a massive video

[@deathsnitemaresinfullust2269]

Oh wow this is a chunky one. I usually find myself watching longer videos so this is great. 😄👍

[@awesomearchivist1705]

Perfect start to my work day a much appreciated video indeed well done👍

[@chiaroscuroamore]

What a great video!!! Thank you!!

[@El_zapiz]

Almost 2 hours, let's goo

[@Calvin.of.Martin.Street]

Excellent video!!

[@terriblelizardnbtapioles5279]

This was such a delightfull listening, lots of new indo and a clear yet deep dive to these animals history

[@austinwhittle1427]

Phenomenal video! Keep it up!

[@darthcheney7447]

Excellent job.

[@timtrainor9720]

Very well done, Ty.

[@marvinsmith8624]

Amazing buddy 🙏👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@marc-andrebrunet5386]

I have just found your channel.. so cool !! It is very very informative. I learn a lot because of you. Thank you very much sir. 😊

[@oscarmarin92]

Super

[@totallynotarobot3651]

Thank you so much for making this! It’s really hard to find comprehensive information on Pseudosuchians, and your videos are very informative. I’m confused on a few things though if anyone can answer. What exactly is a crocodilian? The phrase was mentioned many times, but does it just describe crocodiles, alligators, and caimans, or is it more broad? What’s the difference between archosauriform and archosaurimorph? I saw both being used in the video. Thanks!

[@chimerasuchus]

Crocodilia is the pseudosuchian crown group, meaning it contains all living pseudosuchians, their last common ancestor, and all the descendants of that ancestor. Crocodilia is made up of three smaller clades, Crocodyloidea (the crocodiles), Gavialoidea (today represented by the gharial and false gharial), and Alligatoroidea (two species of alligators and six species of caimans). Archosauromorpha is the clade consisting of all reptiles which share a more recent common ancestor with the archosaurs (the dinosaur-crocodilian clade) than with lizards or any other living reptiles (with the possible exemption of turtles). Archosauriformes is a subclade of Archosauromorpha that consists of the archosaurs and those archosauromorphs that already had most of the features that made the true archosaurs distinct from other reptiles.

[@peperando8733]

God I love this video. You outdid yourself Chimera

[@abrakadaaron]

nice, thanks. love it.

[@user-lq4ct6dr5m]

I have ADHD, but I somehow sit through this 1 hour and a half video and remained focused

[@NoelArmourson]

Excellent presentation.

[@songbird3971]

Damn it! I can’t fall asleep to this, it’s too interesting. Guess I’ll have to save it till tomorrow😏

[@simonemerlo4849]

great video

[@fabiomaia2917]

Excelente!!!!

[@deborahcampbell9079]

Thank you, this was really nice...

[@chimerasuchus]

I am glad you enjoyed it.

[@noeditbookreviews]

The only other time I've heard of these guys was in Steve Brusatte's The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs. And you mentioned Michael Benton! I love his stuff.

[@gattycroc8073]

2:02 thank god you mention the criminally underrated documentary When Crocs ate Dinosaurs snice it barely acknowledged by the paleo community since their all hooked up on praising Walking with Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Planet or bashing Jurassic Fight Club or Monster resurrected.

[@mattobrien4849]

This is awesome.

[@shorelinefishing9213]

Im really surprised by the criticisms of this video. so far every one of them could’ve been fixed by watching the whole video 🤣. I think you did a good job tho man well done.

[@dohmattah]

Always wanted to learn more about crocodilian taxonomy

[@soumakbinduwildlife]

Excellent

[@taeusz1474]

Comment for KZbin. Video is Glorious!

[@MrHunterPOLSKA]

That was nice to watch while making Desmatosuchus sculpture in 1/35 scale ^^

[@mycatistypingthis5450]

What a massive and well executed video. I love it!

[@PastaCool]

Wake up babe new chimerasuchus vid dropped

[@sadwingsraging3044]

I'm good with the land crocks being gone and let's not let those left get too comfortable up in the trees.😮 Great video!👍🏻