Triassic croc relative from Ghost Ranch, New Mexico finally identified after nearly 80 years in museum basement

An illustration shows two four-legged crocodile-like animals standing over a large, long-necked animal carcass lying in a stream.

During the Triassic around 205 million years ago, a newly-identified relative of modern crocodiles stalked its prey, but not in the water, a new study finds.

Like other ancient crocodile cousins, this newly identified species hadn't yet ventured into the water. Instead, it hunted its prey on land, much like a modern fox or jackal, the researchers said.