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When Killer Kangaroos met Forest Crocodiles...Originally published by the Pittsburgh Herpetological Society, April 1998.Reprinted from the Michigan Society of Herpetologists Newsletter, June 1998. As reprinted in the Cold Blooded News, Vol.25, No.9, September 1998. The Australian state of Queensland, still the abode of giant crocodiles, deadly snakes, and poisonous toads, was an even more terrifying place twenty million years ago. Then, the crocodiles leapt from the tree branches on to their victims and even the kangaroos were killers. The flesh-eating kangaroo, or Ekaltadeta, had lower front teeth that Professor Mike Archer, an Australian biologists, said were "as sharp as stilettos." One of its early cousins. the Fangaroo, had to develop big fangs to defend itself against hungry relatives, he said. There were also what Prof. Archer called the arboreal crocodiles. "They would leap out of the trees and on to their prey." Remains of all these animals, and many more, have been uncovered at a site called Riverslea, in Northwest Queensland. "It was no time for the average camper in the Australian bush," Prof. Archer commented. Australia's history has been recorded on a CD, called Tales from the Kangaroo Crypt, released August 11, 1997, produced by the Australian Government. Copyright © 1998 - 2006, Colorado Herpetological Society. All rights reserved. | ||
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