US EditionAncient Caiman May Have Preyed on Another Apex Predator—the Giant 'Terror Bird'
COLOMBIA, JUL 22 – Fossil analysis reveals an aquatic giant caiman likely preyed on or scavenged a 2.5-meter-tall terror bird, showing rare predator interactions in South America's Miocene swamps.
- Researchers published a study on July 22, 2025, analyzing tooth marks on a terror bird's leg bone found in Colombia's Tatacoa Desert.
- The study revealed that the marks matched the caiman species Purussaurus neivensis, suggesting a deadly encounter in the middle Miocene epoch.
- Using 3D imaging, scientists confirmed no healing on the bone marks, indicating the terror bird died due to or shortly after the attack by the caiman.
- Lead author Andres Link explained that terror birds, despite being top predators, faced dangers themselves and may have fallen victim to other animals.
- The findings provide rare evidence of predator interactions near water sources and suggest apex terrestrial predators like terror birds faced aquatic threats.
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Ancient caiman may have preyed on another apex predator—the giant 'terror bird'
The La Venta fossil site in Colombia is home to a rich fossil record, yielding a particularly diverse set of vertebrate fossil assemblages. The giant terror bird (phorusrhacid) and caiman—a large crocodile-like reptile—were known to be two of the apex predators roaming this region during the middle Miocene epoch. Although the terror bird was a terrestrial predator and the caiman was an aquatic predator, new evidence shows that they occasionally …
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Total News Sources13
Leaning Left3Leaning Right0Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution63% Center
Bias Distribution
- 63% of the sources are Center
63% Center
L 38%
C 63%
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