Pictures


Note the 2 rows of post-occipital scales in this palpebrosus. The head colour is typical of palpebrosus.

This photo illustrates the eye colour of Paleosuchus species. Also note the palpebrals!

This photo of trigonatus shows the narrow head shape, and the dark median band that runs from the eyes to the nose. Note also that there is only a single row of post-occipitals.

Here's another picture of a trigonatus head (this time a living one!). Again, note the dark median band, as well as the dark ear coverings. Photo by Myron Wiebe.
Though preserved specimens, this still shows the differences in colouration and head-shape between palpebrosus (left) and trigonatus (right).
This photo shows how trig's tail is laterally flattened, with the scutes protruding almost sideways. Note how the rows between the legs narrows to only 2 scales.
Though difficult to see, it is possible to note that lateral columns of scales on the tail of this trigonatus are interrupted by some smaller scattered scaling. Usually between 5 and 8 columns are thus interrupted!

In this shot, many aspects of P trigonatus are illustrated: The relatively 'messy' rows of dorsal scalation, the colouring of both head (with the dark median stripe) and dorsal area (which is much lighter than P palpebrosus), the single row of post-occipitals, the lateral angle of the double caudal rows,etc. Photo by Myron Wiebe.
The hind feet of Paleosuchus are typical of crocodilians. Only the inner 3 toes have claws, and the webbing is moderate.
The front feet, too, are typical of all crocodilians: again, only the inner 3 toes have claws.
This photo illustrates the canthus rostralis of P palpebrosus. Note how the snout is quite steep laterally, then flattens across the nasals. The canthus rostralis refers to the ridge that runs from the corner of the eye, or the lacrimal bones, to the fourth tooth in the maxilla. You can clearly see this ridge here. P trigonatus does not have this, and its snout is more rounded, like other crocodilians.

In this photo, from Medem, 1981, the differences between the dorsal and tail aspects of trigonatus (left) and palpebrosus (right) are quite clear.

This photo - from Medem, 1970 - illustrates quite nicely the differences in belly colouration between trigonatus (left) and palpebrosus (right). Palpebrosus has much more dark pigmentation ventrally than trigonatus.

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