The fossils of a prehistoric sea cow, discovered in northern Venezuela, has provided scientists with a rare glimpse into a dramatic predation event that unfolded before us mere humans walked the Earth. Believed to be from the genus Culebratherium, the skeletal remains date back to the Early to Middle Miocene epoch, approximately 23 to 11.6 million years ago. The world was a different place during this chapter of our planet, with a climate warmer than today allowing for a landscape that thrived with a variety of now-extinct species.
Mid-predation fossil finds are rare, but they have been found before. However, what makes this fossil particularly unique is that it appears to have been targeted by not just one ancient predators… but two.
The discovery consists of a partial skeleton, including part of the sea cow’s skull and 18 vertebrae. Unearthed in the Agua Clara Formation near the city of Coro, it took a team of five people seven hours to remove the skeleton from the clutches of the sediment it had long hidden in. “We first learned about the site through word of mouth from a local farmer who had noticed some unusual ‘rocks.’ Intrigued, we decided to investigate,” Marcelo Sanchez-Villagra, director at the Palaeontological Institute and Museum at Zurich, said in the statement. Yet, this location has long been a treasure trove for paleontologists, with the outcrops in this region revealing numerous fossils from the Miocene. One by one, each bone has allowed scientists to piece together the mosaic that was the rich life that once thrived here. But this example of dual predation is a phenomenon seldom captured in the fossil record. “Today, often when we observe a predator in the wild, we find the carcass of prey which demonstrates its function as a food source for other animals too; but fossil records of this are rarer,” explained Aldo Benites-Palomino, the lead author of the study and a researcher from the Department of Paleontology at the University of Zurich.
Fossilized tooth marks on the sea cow’s snout suggests that it first was attacked by an ancient crocodile, likely attempting to suffocate it — a strategy still observed in modern crocodiles! The reptile then seems to have dragged its mammalian prey, possibly executing the infamous death roll to disorient and kill it. But the story doesn’t end there. The sea cow’s troubles continued post-mortem, as it became a meal for yet another predator.
While fossils can often show signs of predation, distinguishing between an active hunt and scavenging is challenging. This case, however, provides compelling evidence of both. A tiger shark tooth was found embedded in the sea cow’s neck by the scientists, alongside multiple bite marks scattered across its skeleton. This suggests that after the crocodile had its fill, a tiger shark moved in to scavenge the remains. Tiger sharks are known today as lazy hunters, often preferring to scavenge for food rather than actively hunt, and it seems this behavior was already present millions of years ago. Known as the “garbage cans of the sea,” tiger sharks are opportunistic feeders that often scavenge rather than actively hunt, and it seems this behavior has deep evolutionary roots. With the discovery of it’s tooth, the evidence is clear: even in the Miocene, tiger sharks were not above scavenging an easy meal.
“That said, and due to the fragmentary nature of the specimen, the possibilities of alternative scenarios cannot be ruled out,” the team wrote in their study.
Benites-Palomino says this discovery provides a unique window into the food chain dynamics of this epoch. Afterall, the Miocene epoch was a period of significant evolutionary change! Many modern animal groups beginning to emerge and the interactions between species played a crucial role in shaping the evolutionary paths that would lead to the diversity of life we see roaming around today. He also believes that understanding these ancient ecosystems can help scientists better grasp how current ecosystems might respond to changes, whether they be natural or human-induced.
“We have been unsure as to which animals would serve this purpose as a food source for multiple predators,” said Benites-Palomino in a press release. “Our previous research has identified sperm whales scavenged by several shark species, and this new research highlights the importance of sea cows within the food chain.” Yet, this discovery is more than a reminder of the often brutal dance of predator and prey that continues to shape the natural world today. It’s about a narrative that connects us to a world long gone: survival of the fittest, an everlasting hallmark of life on Earth.