Early Jurassic of South Africa. Discovered in early 20th century, and described in 1915. Carnivorous and long-legged; presumably largely terrestrial.
It is uncertain over whether it was quadrupedal or a facultative biped. It was thoroughly described in 1972, and was an important specimen leading to the hypothesis about the common ancestry of birds and crocodiles. Sphenosuchians offer a window into how the true crocodile lineage of pseudosuchians began. The DAWNDINOS team is working with collaborators at Yale University and elsewhere on a new specimen from this group; potentially a new species; and the best-preserved one known. Stay tuned!