Scientists uncover grisly fate of ancient sea cow in fossil analysis

Fossils can reveal fascinating information, not only about specific species but also about the sequence of certain events. Scientists have reconstructed the death sequence of one of the sea cows—a gruesome demise.

Events from millions of years ago are captured in the fossilized remains that scientists examined and discussed in the "Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology." The article describes the sea cow's death sequence, which can be deciphered through detailed fossil analysis.

Research reveals that the fossil depicts scenes where the sea cow fell victim to a crocodile attack, and its remains later served as food for a shark. The research team, comprising experts from Switzerland, Venezuela, and the USA, made a noteworthy discovery in northwestern Venezuela. The precision with which scientists reconstructed the event is impressive, proving that detailed fossil analyses can yield significant insights.

Researchers discovered traces on the skull of a sea cow belonging to the extinct species Culebratherium, indicating an attack by a prehistoric crocodile. After the crocodile finished its meal, bite marks from a tiger shark (Galeocerdo aduncus) were found on the victim's body.

This natural tragedy could be reconstructed thanks to the study of deep tooth marks on the sea cow's snout, which suggest that the crocodile attempted to suffocate the victim. The crocodile likely employed a technique of violent spinning around its own axis, a behavior typical of modern crocodiles. This method helped crocodiles acquire food efficiently.

During such attacks, the victim, held by the snout or legs with teeth, would lose strength or suffocate while spinning along with the crocodile. After this dramatic death, a scavenger devoured the remains of the sea cow. Details of the study are available on tandfonline.com.