A crocodile fossil in a dusty university museum has turned back the clock 165 million years to be hailed the oldest remains of the creature ever found.
The sample – which has been in storage at Bologna University’s geological section since the 1960s – was retested after scientists saw similarities with it and other ancient croc remains.
“Crocs haven’t changed much over the centuries but these old guys had really wide jaws and the jawbones on this one were enormous so we had another look,” said fossils expert Federico Fanti.
Experts estimate the beast’s jaws were nearly five foot long and so powerful they could cut its prey in half with a single bite.