A new species has arrived in 3D Dinopedia: Hesperosuchus, one of the earliest known crocodylomorphs of the Triassic. With its lightweight skeleton, elongated hind limbs, and long balancing tail, it was a fast and agile terrestrial predator. Early researchers once believed it might be an ancestor of large theropod dinosaurs, but later studies placed it firmly within the crocodilian branch of archosaurs. Measuring about 1.2–1.5 meters in length, Hesperosuchus possessed a narrow snout and serrated teeth, perfectly suited for catching small vertebrates.

This agile hunter lived near rivers and lakes in what is now Arizona, an environment rich with diverse prey. Unlike modern crocodiles, Hesperosuchus moved quickly across firm ground and filled the role of a swift terrestrial predator only loosely associated with aquatic habitats. Its anatomy reveals a critical stage in early crocodylomorph evolution and offers insight into how this lineage diverged long before the appearance of modern crocodiles.