Koolasuchus is an extinct genus of brachyopoid temnospondyl in the family Chigutisauridae.
Fossils have been found from Victoria, Australia and date back 120 Ma to the Aptian stage of the Early Cretaceous. Koolasuchus is the latest known temnospondyl. Koolasuchus is known from several fragments of the skull and other bones such as vertebrae, ribs, and pectoral elements. The type species K. cleelandi was named in 1997.
Koolasuchus inhabited rift valleys in southern Australia during the Early Cretaceous. During this time the area was below the Antarctic Circle, and temperatures were relatively cool for the Mesozoic. Based on the coarse-grained rocks in which remains were found, Koolasuchus likely lived in fast-moving streams. As a large aquatic predator, it had a similar lifestyle to crocodilians. Although crocodilians were common during the Early Cretaceous, they were absent from southern Australia 120 million years ago, possibly because of the cold climate. By 110 Ma, represented by rocks in the Dinosaur Cove fossil locality, temperatures had warmed and crocodilians had returned to the area. These crocodilians likely displaced Koolasuchus, leading to its disappearance in younger rocks.
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Jurassic Park Games
Jurassic Park: Builder
Koolasuchus appears in Jurassic Park: Builder, as part of the Aquatic Park.
Jurassic World: The Game
Koolasuchus also appears as an amphibian that can be created in Jurassic World: The Game. In Jurassic World: The Game, since June 10, 2015, once a Koolasuchus reaches Level 40, it can be fused with a Level 40 Sarcosuchus to create the hybrid Koolasaurus.
.gif "Koolasuchus (29).gif (7.29 MB)")
Behind the scenes
- The level 30 Koolasuchus in Jurassic World: The Game has the exact same colors as a Tiger salamander.