Not quite a crocodile
These are the teeth and scales of an early crocodile-like reptile. The semi-aquatic lifestyle of this animal was very similar to its closest living relatives, crocodiles and alligators. It was two to four metres long, and its skin, complete with armoured scutes, provided camouflage and protection.
It is understandable how early scientists thought that the armour found in the Triassic rocks of East Devon was from crocodiles as they are very similar (see lower photo). But we now know that the Triassic bones belong to an ancient amphibian of a group known as Labyrinthodonts because of the complex nature of their armoured skull bones.
