Sarcosuchus imperator was a prehistoric species of crocodile which lived around 110 million years ago. Recent fossilised remains found in the Sahara Desert suggest that this creature took around 50-60 years to grow to its full length of around 11-12 metres (37-40 ft) and its maximum weight of around 8 tonnes.

Paeleontologists studying the remains theorise that the creature was able to conceal most of its bulk underwater whilst stalking prey, due to its upward-tilting eyes. There are several species of giant prehistoric crocodile and, while the latest specimen of Sarcosuchus imperator is the largest ever found, it is still impossible to say which of the prehistoric species was actually the largest. The crocodile family as a whole is 225 million years old.