By Tim Binnall
Researchers studying strange fossilized footprints theorize that the intriguing tracks were made by ancient creatures that resembled bipedal crocodiles. The puzzling impressions, which number in the hundreds and measure approximately nine inches in length, were reportedly discovered in a coastal area of South Korea and are believed to be around 115 million years old. Scientists had previously suspected that the prints were made by pterosaurs, however the discovery of some rather detailed impressions provided experts with a fuller picture of the creature that created them and, in turn, led to a rather fantastic hypothesis.
"These fossils are spectacular," marveled paleontologist Anthony Romilio, "they even have the fine details of the toe-pads and scales on their soles preserved." Upon closer examination of the tracks, researchers proposed that they were likely left behind by a crocodile-like creature that walked on its hind legs. "Typical crocodiles walk in a squat stance and create trackways that are wide," lead researcher Kyung Soo Kim explained, "oddly, our trackways are very narrow looking – more like a crocodile balancing on a tight-rope. When combined with the lack of any tail-drag marks, it became clear that these creatures were moving bipedally."
As one might imagine, given the unorthodox hypothesis, not everyone is convinced that bipedal crocodiles were the source for the curious tracks. Fossil track expert Phil Manning told the BBC that while he looks forward to examining the data presented by the research team, he is also skeptical of their conclusion. "the tracks just don't fit the overall geometry of a crocodilian and what it's capable of producing," he argued, "it looks more like some kind of dinosaurian track-maker to me." Manning also pointed out a problem with the study that may go unresolved for quite some time as, for now, there are no actual fossils from any bipedal crocodile, meaning the creature largely resides in the speculative realm unless further evidence can be uncovered.