Species · GBIF taxon 4968059
Najash rionegrina
Najash rionegrinaNajash rionegrina slithered across the semi-arid river systems of Cretaceous Patagonia, using functional hind legs anchored to a true sacrum to steady itself over loose ground. Its robust skull and flexible jaws allowed it to consume early mammals, small lizards, and ground-nesting dinosaur eggs. Retaining a primitive hip structure long lost in contemporary serpents, this burrow-dwelling predator offers a direct window into the early stages of snake evolution.
FossilCarnivore
Licensed referencePaleoninja / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
ExtinctConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXExtinctRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Small lizards
- Early mammals
- Reptile eggs
Predators
- Abelisaurid dinosaurs
- Terrestrial crocodyliforms
ThreatsEcological turnover and environmental shifts in deep time
HabitatsSemi-arid floodplains, scrublands, and paleodunes
Life spanEstimated 10–15 years
Classification
- FamilyMadtsoiidae
- SpeciesNajash rionegrina
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Extinct prehistoric species known only from fossil remains.
Responsible observation
- Museum Viewing: Examine articulated pelvic and limb fossils on display in natural history collections.
- Field Ethics: Leave exposed vertebrate fossils undisturbed and notify local paleontological authorities.
Competitor Eduard Solà / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Image unavailablePrey 
Close Relative J. Green / Public domain · cc0
Same Family Jeffrey A. Wilson, Dhananjay M. Mohabey, Shanan E. Peters, Jason J. Head / CC BY 2.5 · cc-by
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