The crocodylomorph and early archosaur collections
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The Museum crocodylomorph and early archosaur collections comprise an estimated 5000 specimens, from isolated incomplete bones to articulated skeletons on slabs and mounts. At least a fifth of the collection space is occupied by Triassic archosaurs from the UK and abroad, such as aetosaurs and phytosaurs.
British Mesozoic crocodilians such as Teleosaurus, Metriorhynchus, Steneosaurus, Dakosaurus and Goniopholis are very well represented. This is due to a long history of collecting in areas where the Lower Lias, Upper Lias, Kimmeridge Clay, Oxford Clay and Purbeck beds are eroded or quarried.
Foreign specimens include a large number from parts of Europe, India and Africa. High quality casts are held of several important specimens housed in other museums. Considering that many specimens are from pyrite-bearing strata, the crocodile collection is generally in good condition.
Geological and geographic ranges
The collection includes Triassic material from South Africa, USA, Germany and Scotland. The Jurassic and Cretaceous of the UK, France and Germany are very well represented.
There are smaller collections from Canada, USA, Brazil, Switzerland, Morocco and Niger. The Cenozoic is covered by large collections from the UK, India, Mali, Egypt, Libya, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
Smaller collections exist from Spain, France, Belgium, Uganda, Sudan, Tanzania, Madagascar, Aldabra and the Seychelles, Bengal, Burma, Baluchistan, Bolivia, USA and Queensland. Some regions such as Thailand and Patagonia are represented by casts of specimens.
If visitors require access to recent crocodilian specimens, they should make an appointment with the relevant Zoology Department curator.
Visitor facilities
Visitors to the crocodile collection may use benches adjacent to the collection, which are equipped with lamps and a long-arm microscope. The reptile library on the ground floor is also available for visitors to use, but books and reprints must be returned after use.