Laganosuchus

Name: Laganosuchus (Pancake crocodile).
Phonetic: La-gan-oh-soo-kuss.
Named By: Paul Sereno & Hans Larsson - 2009.
Classification: Chordata, Reptilia, Archosauromorpha, Crurotarsi, Crocodylomorpha, Stomatosuchidae.
Species: L. thaumastos (type), L. maghrebensis.
Type: Carnivore/Piscivore.
Size: Skull up to 83.8 centimetres long. Estimated 6 meters long.
Known locations: Niger, Echkar Formation. Morocco, Kem Kem Beds.
Time period: Cenomanian of the Cretaceous.
Fossil representation: Two specimens.

       Laganosuchus acquired its name from its flat 'pancake like' jaws. These had small but numerous teeth running across the edges. Laganosuchus is thought to have used these specialised jaws as a fish trap, laying in the water with its jaws open for extended periods until a fish swam in. Once this happened, the jaws would snap together preventing escape. Laganosuchus is one of many strange prehistoric crocodiles discovered in the African deserts, but lost much of the limelight due to the nearby discovery of the 'Boar croc' Kaprosuchus.

Further reading
- Cretaceous crocodyliforms from the Sahara. - ZooKeys 28 (2009): 1–143. - P. C. Sereno & H. C. E. Larsson - 2009.

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