This 31-foot “terror croc” ate dinosaurs. Now it’s back

A life-size, scientifically accurate replica of Deinosuchus schwimmeri, a massive prehistoric crocodilian that lived over 75 million years ago, is now on display at the Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville, Georgia. Measuring more than 30 feet long, this apex predator once roamed the southeastern United States and was known for preying on dinosaurs, earning it the nickname "terror croc." The exhibit marks the first fully mounted skeleton of this species, created through a two-year collaboration between Dr. David Schwimmer, a geology professor at Columbus State University, and Triebold Paleontology Inc. Deinosuchus schwimmeri lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 83 to 76 million years ago, and was one of the largest crocodilian species to have ever existed. Its immense size and predatory behavior placed it at the top of the food chain, capable of hunting large dinosaurs such as Appalachiosaurus. The species was officially named in 2020 to honor Dr. Schwimmer’s decades of research, which significantly advanced scientific understanding of this prehistoric giant. The Tellus Science Museum’s new display offers visitors a rare opportunity to see this prehistoric creature up close, providing a tangible connection to the region’s ancient ecosystem. Museum educators emphasize the exhibit’s value for students and the public in illustrating the scale and diversity of life during the Cretaceous period. As the only museum worldwide to feature a cast of Deinosuchus schwimmeri, Tellus enhances its role as a center for paleontological education and regional natural history. This exhibit not only highlights the evolutionary history of crocodilians but also deepens appreciation for the complex ecosystems that existed alongside dinosaurs. By bringing Deinosuchus back to life in such detail, the museum fosters greater public engagement with paleontology and underscores the importance of ongoing research in uncovering Earth’s prehistoric past.