Drop Croc

Habitat

The Drop Croc’s habitat is thought to have been a warm, swampy forest – ideal for both nesting and lurking.

Fossilised eggshells from Murgon, Queensland, indicate that crocodiles of some description nested here around 55 million years ago. Whether these belonged to a ground-dwelling species or one that occasionally experimented with gravity remains the subject of spirited debate.

Distribution

Drop Croc fossils – or what scientists are willing to call fossils – have been found exclusively near Murgon in south-east Queensland. This limited distribution has led researchers to suggest that the species was highly specialised, or possibly highly secretive. Either way, sightings outside Queensland are remarkably rare.

Distribution of legitimate crocodile facts, specimens and stories, including references to Mekosuchus research can be found at Croc! Lost Giants to Living Legends, on display now Queensland Museum Kurilpa.

Predators

The Drop Crocs only predator was the mega-faunal Drop Bear, an ancestor to the modern day Drop Bear Thylarctos plummetus unique to Australia. Discover more about the Drop Bear on Australian Museum website.

Feeding and Diet

Like modern crocodiles, the Drop Croc was a carnivore. However, some reconstructions propose that it employed a more 'vertical' approach to hunting. By positioning itself above unsuspecting prey, the Drop Croc may have achieved the element of surprise unmatched by any known reptile.

Its diet likely included small mammals, reptiles, and anyone loitering under a low-hanging branch for too long.

Behaviour and Adaptations

• Arboreal ambush: Believed to have mastered the art of dropping from trees, the Drop Croc could turn a quiet forest walk into an unforgettable encounter.
• Eggshell innovation: Recent discoveries of ancient eggshells reveal a unique microstructure – perhaps evolved to survive impacts from above.
• Terrestrial agility: Unlike today’s river-dwelling crocs, the Drop Croc’s limb structure suggests it was comfortable moving on land (and possibly up trees).

Evolutionary Significance

The Drop Croc has become a cornerstone of Queensland’s rich tradition of surprising palaeontology – and storytelling. Its discovery (or invention, depending on your tolerance for satire) highlights Australia’s unique role in reshaping the boundaries between myth and science.

If genuine, the Drop Croc would represent a rare branch of the crocodilian family tree – one that explored life above ground long before gravity had its say. If not, it remains one of the most entertaining examples of how Australians continue to evolve their sense of humour.

Fossil Evidence

Eggshell fragments unearthed at Murgon have been scientifically confirmed as belonging to a crocodile species from 55 million years ago. Whether that crocodile was airborne remains unresolved.

To date, no complete Drop Croc skeleton has been recovered, though several convincing sketches and a handful of dramatic artist impressions have appeared in major news outlets.

Images

References

• BBC News (2025): Australia’s “Drop Croc” discovery stuns scientists and startles pedestrians
• The Conversation (2025): 55 million years: Australia’s oldest crocodile eggshells found in Queensland
• Queensland Museum field notes (ongoing): Caution when walking under trees in Murgon