Shieldcroc

The genus name Aegisuchus, Aegis (Greek): shield and suchus (Grecized Egyptian word for crocodile), meaning “shield crocodile.” The species name witmeri honors paleontologist Lawrence Witmer, who contributed greatly to crocodilian anatomy research.

Aegisuchus witmeri lived in the Late Cretaceous and was known by the nickname "Shieldcroc." Their body was probably long and streamlined, adapted for aquatic life, and their skull was very flat and wide, resembling modern gharials but broader. They also had a large circular bump, or "shield," on top of their skull, which may have been used for display or temperature regulation. They most likely had thin, interlocking teeth that were useful for capturing fish and tiny mammals. This species' estimated length is 9–11 m (30–36 ft), however all that is known about it is a piece of skull. By comparing it to extant crocodilians and fossilized cousins, scientists were able to reconstruct its appearance.

One of Aegisuchus witmeri's most likely skills was swimming. Aegisuchus witmeri could move silently through the water like contemporary crocodiles and possessed a powerful tail for propulsion and webbed feet for maneuvering. Their hunting abilities include being a likely ambush predator, having a sensitive snout to sense water vibrations, and having a quick sideways bite to seize prey. Its unique adaption was the "shield" on its head, which would have supported big blood veins, amplified display signals, and helped disperse heat.

Aegisuchus witmeri was lived in coastal lagoons and sizable river basins. This species was a carnivore, and it may have eaten fish, turtles, tiny dinosaurs, and other aquatic reptiles. Aegisuchus most likely served as a top predator in freshwater environments, much like contemporary crocodiles.

These predators would have posed a serious threat to the Aegisuchus witmeri hatchling. Large Cretaceous fish that are predators would have probably consumed hatchlings or juveniles. Eggs or young Shieldcrocs may be preyed upon by other crocodile relatives, such as smaller crocodyliforms. If given the opportunity, the medium-to-large theropods found along riverbanks would gladly seize a hatchling. Nest raiders can even harm sea turtles and aquatic scavengers that consume eggs and just hatched young. Similar to contemporary crocodilians, survival was likely a cruel game of numbers, with many eggs deposited, few young surviving, and only a small percentage growing to enormous adult size.

Reproduction

Based on modern crocodilians:

• Females would lay eggs in sandy nests near rivers.

• Clutches possibly 20–50 eggs.

• Mothers may guard nests and help hatchlings reach water.

Modern crocodiles show strong parental care, so Shieldcroc likely did too.

Aegisuchus were territorial adults that solely engaged in seasonal breeding, ambush hunting, and basking to control body temperature. It's also possible that this animal employed the skull shield as a visual display to entice potential mates or scare off competitors. Like other crocodiles, Aegisuchus would probably stay away from people if it were still alive today. Attacks may happen if people swim in its territory or approach nests. Aegisuchus are unlikely to interact amicably in the wild, but in captivity, they may develop habits similar to those of contemporary crocodiles kept in zoos.

Aegisuchus witmeri probably disappeared due to:

• environmental changes in North Africa

• shifting river systems

• competition with other predators

• eventually the global catastrophe at the

• Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event

During the Late Cretaceous, northern Africa was a humid region near the Tethys Ocean, a seaway between the southern continents of Gondwana and northern land masses of Laurasia. At this time, the Kem Kem Beds of Morocco were deposited in a freshwater delta system.

• Movement Pattern: Not a Migrant

• Individual Type: Solo

• Population Trend: Stable

• Population: ???

• Locomotion: Amphibious

• Habitat: Temperate Coniferous Forests; Temperate Broadleaf and Mixed Forests; Temperate Deciduous Forests; Temperate Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands; Subtropical Coniferous Forests; Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests; Subtropical Dry Broadleaf Forests; Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands; Salt Flats; Tropical Coniferous Forests; Tropical Moist Broadleaf Forests; Tropical Dry Broadleaf Forests; Tropical Grasslands; Tropical Savannas and Shrublands; Mediterranean Forests, Woodlands, and Scrub; Deserts and Xeric Shrublands; Badlands; Flooded Grasslands and Savannas; Swamp; Bayous/Billabongs; Riparian; Wetland; Mangrove Forest; Cold Bamboo Forests; Tropical Bamboo Forests; Air-breathing Coral Reefs; Graveyard Vale; Mountain; Sky; Warm River; Cold River; Lukewarm River; Warm Littoral; Cold Littoral; Warm Intertidal; Cold Intertidal; Radiated Citadel; Volcano; Warm Ghost Town; Cold Ghost Town; Ruined Skyscraper.

• Earth: 

  • Extinct: Algeria; Morocco

Aegisuchus is one of the few apex predators that use the special taming method. While it is asleep, the player must right-click it with an Apple of Eden. It will then rise back up and regain all its heat, signifying that it is tamed. Alternatively, survivors must steal Aegisuchus's egg in order to tame it. When these eggs hatch, the babies must be fed any type of meat, fish, or carcass, which can be gotten from a variety of sources.

No Way to Seaway - 2010s

Known as Shieldcroc by Moroccan Conservationist Hunters, the Moroccan Assassin Peacekeepers, and the Templar Society in Morocco, this creature was validated by Nicholas Gardner, who was close to the Fanning family and the Kealani-Jorpassadal family. Nicholas was targeted by Daniel Cross until he was killed by the first owner of Conservationist Hunters, Nilan Punzalan Pradep.

Aegisuchus became extinct again in the Holocene at 2100 AD, except for some events in the Worldcraft and Rescris series.

Coming soon

• It was formally named in 2012 that makes it a relatively recently described prehistoric animal. Compared to famous fossils known for over a century, Aegisuchus witmeri is a fairly new arrival in paleontology. 

• It is often compared to Stomatosuchus. A likely close relative is Stomatosuchus inermis, that animal is also mysterious and poorly known, which means this branch of croc evolution is a bit like trying to solve a puzzle after someone lost half the pieces.

• Aegisuchus witmeri may have been among the largest crocodyliforms ever, if size estimates are correct, Aegisuchus witmeri ranks among giant croc-line reptiles such as Sarcosuchus imperator, Deinosuchus riograndensis, and Purussaurus brasiliensis. That said, because the fossils are incomplete, its exact ranking is still debated.

• Aegisuchus witmeri likely lived in what is now Morocco, but the environment was radically different. Modern Morocco includes dry and arid regions. Back then, its habitat was more like giant wetlands, river channels, floodplains, and tropical coastal systems. So yes, a place that is now dry land once hosted a monster crocodile with a decorative forehead plate.

• It is a favorite among paleo fans because it looks “underused.” Why fans like its huge size, unusual skull, little-known status, mysterious ecology, and “ancient boss creature” energy.

• Aegisuchus witmeri has strong documentary potential, game monster inspiration, and speculative paleoart appeal

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aegisuchus

• https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/article/111109-shieldcroc-crocodiles-fossils-science-aegisuchus-witmeri

• https://www.reddit.com/r/Paleontology/comments/upccu3/how_big_is_an_aegisuchus/

• https://www.mindat.org/taxon-8478800.html

• https://www.deviantart.com/ognimdo2002/art/Aegisuchus-witmeri-989471144