--- title: "Massive Extinction Event May Have Been Survived by Crocodiles in Warm Climates" url: https://newscentral.site/massive-extinction-event-may-have-been-survived-by-crocodiles-in-warm/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Science" published: 2026-10-21T18:00:49.000Z updated: 2026-10-21T20:30:59.928Z id: 9baf839f-511a-4db8-8523-b9a181ace9c6 source: "Phys.org https://phys.org/news/2026-10-climates-crocodiles-outlast-dinosaurs.html" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/massive-extinction-event-may-have-been-survived-by-crocodiles-in-warm/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Massive Extinction Event May Have Been Survived by Crocodiles in Warm Climates A new study suggests that crocodiles and their relatives may have survived the massive extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs by sticking to warm climates. Researchers from University College London (UCL) led an investigation into the fossil records of over 400 species of archosaurs, including both living and extinct crocodile relatives. The team analyzed these records alongside computer-generated models of Earth's climate and geography as they existed 245 million years ago. Their findings indicate that rather than adapting to changing conditions, crocodiles and their kin moved with the warm climates, spreading to regions such as Antarctica during hot periods and retreating to tropical areas in colder times. The study is based on an examination of more than 7,000 fossils and records. The researchers used these data to create a comprehensive picture of how archosaur populations responded to shifts in climate over millions of years. According to the computer simulations, even after the asteroid impact that led to the dinosaurs' extinction, many warm regions near the equator and subtropics remained suitable habitats for crocodile relatives. The ancestors of modern crocodiles were not as uniform as their descendants might suggest. In fact, they were a diverse group that included heavily armored plant-eaters, land-dwelling predators, and even giants weighing over a ton. One such giant was the Sarcosuchus, a massive predator that grew up to 12 meters long. Another notable pseudosuchian was Postosuchus, which hunted solely on land and was capable of moving both on two legs and all fours. The diversity of early crocodile-like creatures is often overlooked in favor of their more modern, uniform appearance. However, it's this very diversity that makes the findings of a recent study so intriguing. By analyzing fossil records, evolutionary trees, and mapping where different species live today, researchers were able to infer the temperature and rainfall preferences of over 400 crocodile-like species. This data was then used to map their suitable habitats over time, taking into account Earth's changing climate and geography. The study suggests that these reptiles were highly adaptable to changing environmental conditions. They tracked warm climates across the globe, moving towards higher latitudes during periods of high temperatures and retreating to lower latitudes as the climate cooled. During the early Eocene, about 50 million years ago, when global temperatures were significantly higher than today, they inhabited areas at high latitudes in North America, Europe, and Antarctica. The polar regions were ice-free at that time, allowing these reptiles to thrive in previously inhospitable environments. Researchers also examined the impact of the Chicxulub asteroid on climate conditions following the mass extinction event that wiped out most dinosaurs. They tested various scenarios, including reduced sunlight caused by ash and dust, as well as increased carbon dioxide due to volcanic eruptions. The simulations showed that even at 5% and 10% reduced sunlight, warm regions around the equator remained suitable for these reptiles. However, a more extreme scenario of 15% less sunlight was found to be unlikely, but would have made areas around the equator unsuitable for them. Increased carbon dioxide levels had little effect on climate suitability for crocodiles in this study, highlighting other factors that may have contributed to their survival. The study suggests that crocodiles may have been able to adapt to changing climates by relocating to areas with more suitable conditions. One example of this adaptation is seen in an extinct group of Australian crocodiles that lived around 34 million years ago. As the continent dried out and rainfall decreased, these ancient crocodiles adjusted to drier environments, showing a remarkable ability to adapt to changing circumstances. The findings have significant implications for modern species, particularly as the planet continues to warm due to climate change. --- Source: [Phys.org](https://phys.org/news/2026-10-climates-crocodiles-outlast-dinosaurs.html) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/massive-extinction-event-may-have-been-survived-by-crocodiles-in-warm/