Teeth marks suggest 'terror bird' was killed by reptile 13 million years ago
Summary
Researchers found teeth marks on a terror bird's leg bone from 13 million years ago, suggesting it was attacked by a crocodile-like reptile. The marks matched an extinct species called Purussaurus neivensis, and scientists believe the bird died in this encounter.Key Facts
- Terror birds were large, predatory birds that lived 13 million years ago, standing taller than a human.
- Scientists from Colombia studied teeth marks on a terror bird bone found in the Tatacoa Desert.
- The teeth marks matched those of a crocodile-like reptile, Purussaurus neivensis.
- Purussaurus could grow up to five meters long and likely ambushed prey near water.
- This finding suggests terror birds faced predators more than previously thought.
- The leg bone showed no healing, indicating the terror bird likely died in the attack.
- The Tatacoa Desert was once a swampy area where many fossils have been preserved.
- The bone was discovered 15 years ago by a local fossil collector and later studied in a museum.
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