Crocodylus lucivenator, a large crocodilian species measuring between 12 to 15 feet, inhabited ancient African waterways more than 3 million years ago.
This predator likely posed a threat to early hominins, including the species represented by the famous fossil Lucy, as it hunted in rivers and lakes.
The presence of such a formidable predator would have influenced the behavior and habitat choices of early human ancestors, highlighting the interconnectedness of species in ancient ecosystems.