240 million-year-old 'warrior' crocodile ancestor from Pangaea had plated armor — and it looked just like a dinosaur

The discovery of a 240 million-year-old ancestor of modern crocodiles, which lived in Pangaea, reveals significant insights into reptilian evolution. This armored lizard, resembling a dinosaur, highlights the diverse adaptations that existed before dinosaurs became the dominant terrestrial vertebrates. The characteristics of this ancient creature, including its plated armor, suggest evolutionary strategies for survival in a prehistoric ecosystem. Such findings contribute to our understanding of the lineage leading to contemporary crocodiles and the ecological dynamics of the time.