RALEIGH - Imagine a crocodile 40 feet long, as large as a school bus and ferocious enough to feed on dinosaurs. You can meet this ancient beast, Sarcosuchus imperator—the 110-million-year-old relative of today's crocodile—in the traveling exhibit "National Geographic Channel presents SuperCroc" at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences from March 15 to May 26, 2003.

SuperCroc opens as a special attraction during Reptile and Amphibian Day, the Museum's annual event devoted to frogs, toads, salamanders, snakes, turtles, lizards and crocodilians.

Marvel at SuperCroc's massive size as you examine a full-sized skeletal model of the prehistoric giant unearthed in Niger, Africa. Fleshed out models of the Cretaceous crocodile's head and neck, as well as skulls of modern crocodiles, allow you see how small today’s crocodilians are by comparison. Video kiosks and interpretive panels depict the discovery and excavation of the fossil, and offer a glimpse into the prehistoric environment where SuperCroc lived.

National Geographic Explorer in Residence Paul Sereno excavated SuperCroc in 2000 from the parched sands of the Sahara Desert. Sereno's expedition unearthed the most complete Sarcosuchus skull ever found, along with more than 50 percent of its skeleton. SuperCroc's six-foot-long jaws were studded with more than 100 teeth, including a row of enlarged, bone-crushing incisors. "The teeth are incredibly stout," Sereno said. "They are crushing, penetrating teeth."

Sereno teamed with reptile expert Brady Barr to better understand the anatomy and behavior of the modern crocodile's prehistoric relative. Their comparisons led Sereno to the conclusion that Sarcosuchus behaved much like crocodiles living in today's African rivers. It hid underwater with only its eyes exposed, waiting for an animal to approach the water's edge. Then, with massive jaws erupting from the water, it locked on the animal’s leg or neck, dragged it underwater and tore it apart after it drowned.

Sereno thinks a 40-foot crocodile like Sarcosuchus could have tackled even the giant long-necked sauropod dinosaurs that gathered at African waterholes.

On opening day, visitors can meet and learn from Barr in person as he delves into his role in the reincarnation of SuperCroc, as well as his work as host of National Geographic Channel's Reptile Wild.

National Geographic Channel's two-hour television documentary, "SuperCroc," documents Sereno's excavation of the crocodile, as well as his journey around the world with Barr, exploring the wild habitats and characteristics of modern crocodiles. The program will be rebroadcast Sunday, April 13.

North Carolina's Giant Croc

Although it has achieved less notoriety, North Carolina had its own giant crocodile, Deinosuchus, which grew to 40 feet in length and lived 30 million years after Sarcosuchus. This giant croc probably also preyed on carnivorous dinosaurs. North Carolina's first State Geologist Ebenezer Emmons reported in 1858 the first discovery of fossil Deinosuchus teeth, collected in Bladen County.

The Museum will add some local flavor to the exhibit with it's own prehistoric version of CSI (Croc Scene Investigations). Visitors will get a chance to examine fossil bones from a small dinosaur and an ancient turtle that have been attacked or chewed on—and compare these scars with the fossil teeth of Deinosuchus and two other possible predators—to see if they can tell "who dunnit?"

Admission to the exhibit is $2 for adults, $1 for children 4-11 and for seniors 60 and over, and free for Friends of the Museum members. Exhibition hours are 9:30 am - 4 pm Monday through Thursday, last tickets sold at 3:00 pm; 9:30 am - 5:00 pm Friday - Saturday, last tickets sold at 4:00 pm; noon - 5:00 pm Sunday; last tickets sold at 4:00 pm. Same-day, on-site ticket sales only. On-site purchases can be made with cash, check, Mastercard or Visa.