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Not paleo but... Nile crocodile is actually two species!
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08-10-2011 6:25pm#1And the most amazing part is, Ancient Egyptians knew this and recognized them as different. It took scientists over 3000 years to find out, using DNA tests on both living crocs and Ancient Egyptian crocodile mummies.
The new species is called Crocodylus suchus (suchus being old Greek for crocodile AND the name Greek gave to the Egyptian crocodile-headed god, Sobek). The common name "Sacred Crocodile" has been suggested. This was the species kept by the Egyptians in their temples dedicated to the crocodile god, who was said to be the ruthless guardian of the Nile- a powerful protective deity but also very much capable of eating the unjust.
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2011/09/14/nile-crocodile-is-actually-two-species-and-the-egyptians-knew-it/
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