Prehistoric Human Eaten Alive by 25-Meter Crocodile in Brutal Attack
Researchers have uncovered evidence that one of humanity’s earliest ancestors endured a horrific death at the jaws of a now-extinct 25-meter-long crocodile, considered one of the largest reptiles to have ever lived.
Victim Identified as Homo habilis
The individual, identified as OH7, belonged to Homo habilis, one of the earliest human species living in southern and eastern Africa. Standing only about four feet tall, Homo habilis were particularly vulnerable to predators.
OH7 is believed to have lived in an ancient marshland environment, where he was ambushed by the colossal crocodile, which tore off his leg. The wound quickly became contaminated by mud, adding to his suffering.
Double Attack by Crocodile and Big Cat
Fossil evidence suggests the attack didn’t end there. Scientists believe that as OH7 turned to face the crocodile, he left himself open to a second predator — likely a leopard — which mauled his skull and left deep furrows in the bone.
The scenario mirrors modern observations where crocodiles and big cats fight over the same prey. This grisly combination may explain the brutal nature of OH7’s final moments.
Among the Worst Deaths in Prehistory
Experts describe the incident as among the most gruesome prehistoric deaths ever documented. The predator, Crocodylus thorbjarnarsoni, is considered the largest crocodilian ever discovered, weighing up to 25 tonnes and stretching the length of two buses.
The findings highlight the extreme dangers faced by early humans in Africa, where survival often meant avoiding predators as large as or larger than dinosaurs.
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