---
title: "New Crocodile Species Herugavialis cairensis Identified From 45-Million-Year-Old Fossils"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/tech/new-crocodile-species-herugavialis-cairensis-identified-from-45-million-year-old"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/new-crocodile-species-herugavialis-cairensis-identified-from-45-million-year-old"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/tech/new-crocodile-species-herugavialis-cairensis-identified-from-45-million-year-old.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/new-crocodile-species-herugavialis-cairensis-identified-from-45-million-year-old"
category: "Science & Tech"
area: "Middle East"
published: "2026-10-07T14:05:21.105Z"
source_reported: "2026-10-07T13:04:14.000Z"
updated: "2026-10-07T14:05:21.105Z"
trust_score: 42
critic_score: 61
hype_score: 41
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-10-07T15:00:08.070909+00:00"
---

# New Crocodile Species Herugavialis cairensis Identified From 45-Million-Year-Old Fossils

*Fossils found in Egypt's Mokattam Formation share a missing snout feature with the Great Sphinx.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to named bodies, with two independent outlets and a document cited.
- Craft 61 of 100, higher is better. Reporting includes quotes, explains why it matters, and separates fact from comment.
- Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headline promises a discovery, and the body delivers, but with mild sensationalism.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- A new species of extinct crocodile, Herugavialis cairensis, has been identified from 45-million-year-old fossils.
- The fossils were discovered in Egypt's Mokattam Formation, the same limestone used to build the Great Sphinx.
- A nearly complete skull fossil of the new species is missing the tip of its snout, similar to the Great Sphinx.
- The discovery adds to the understanding of gharials, a group of crocodilians with a complex evolutionary history.

Paleontologists have identified a new species of extinct crocodile, Herugavialis cairensis, from fossils dating back 45 million years. The remains were discovered in the Mokattam Formation in northern Egypt, a limestone deposit that also provided material for the Great Sphinx and the pyramids at Giza. The new species is part of the gharial lineage, a group of crocodilians known for their long, slender snouts and complex evolutionary history.

One of the key fossils, a nearly complete skull, shares a notable characteristic with the Great Sphinx: the tip of its snout is missing. This feature, along with the shared geological origin, inspired the naming of the new genus. The study, published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, analysed several fossil specimens, including the skull unearthed in the 1920s, using modern techniques like CT scanning.

## Disagreement on Age of Fossils

Reports differ on the age of the fossils. The journal Royal Society Open Science and full reports from KIFI and Conservation news state the fossils are 45 million years old. However, digests from GB News, Clarin, La Razón, and Svenska Dagbladet suggest the fossils are 54 million years old. Life.ru and ТСН.ua also suggest an age of 54 million years.

## What the coverage left out

None of the left-rated, centre-rated, or right-rated reports printed below mention the specific names of the other fossil specimens analysed in the study beyond the skull, or the exact number of specimens used. The full report from KIFI mentions "five other specimens" were analysed, but this detail is not present in the digests from other outlets.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 25 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 4% (1)
- Centre: 79% (20)
- Right: 17% (4)

16 of 41 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-10-07T15:00:08.070909+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 8 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-10-07T16:00:06.351Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- The left-rated report from Conservation news led with the discovery of the new crocodile species and its connection to the Great Sphinx. It highlighted that the fossils were found in the same limestone formation used to build the monument. The report also noted that the fossil skull is missing the tip of its nose, mirroring the Great Sphinx. It extensively discussed the conservation status of modern gharials, mentioning that the false gharial is endangered and the gharial is critically endangered. The report also included details on conservation successes for other crocodilian species, such as the American alligator and the Indian gharial, and discussed current threats like habitat loss and hunting for bushmeat.

### Centre

- Centre-rated reports from KIFI, The Debrief, ZME Science, Euronews, studyfinds.com, Internewscast, Discover Magazine, KESQ, KEYT, KMIZ, KRDO, and KVIA focused on the identification of the new crocodile species, Herugavialis cairensis, and its discovery in the rock used for the Great Sphinx. Many highlighted the shared missing snout feature between the fossil skull and the Sphinx. The full report from KIFI provided detailed information on the scientific analysis, including CT scans, and quoted paleontologists Paul Burke and Philip Mannion on the species' characteristics and evolutionary significance. Several digests noted that the fossil had been misidentified for nearly a century.

### Right

- Right-rated reports from GB News, Clarin, La Razón, and Svenska Dagbladet led with the discovery of the new crocodile species, Herugavialis cairensis, and its link to the rocks used to build the Great Sphinx. GB News stated that British scientists revealed the Sphinx was 'built with crocodile fossils'. Clarin and La Razón highlighted the curious similarity between the missing snout of the fossil and the Great Sphinx. Svenska Dagbladet noted that new research shows the crocodile belongs to a different part of the family tree than previously believed.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- mixed: 3
- high: 14
- unknown: 16
- veryHigh: 8

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [scientias.nl](https://scientias.nl/krokodil-uit-de-zee-van-de-sfinx-is-een-nieuwe-soort-daarom-zijn-toegankelijke-museumcollecties-zo-belangrijk) — Crocodile From the Sea of the Sphinx Is a New Species: “That Is Why Accessible Museum Collections Are so Important”
- [The Debrief](https://thedebrief.org/an-ancient-crocodile-was-discovered-in-egyptian-rocks-linked-to-the-great-sphinx-and-it-has-a-curious-connection-to-gizas-ancient-guardian) — An Ancient Crocodile Was Discovered in Egyptian Rocks Linked to the Great Sphinx—and It Has a Curious Connection to Giza's Ancient Guardian
- [ZME Science](https://zmescience.com/ecology/animals-ecology/new-croc-species-found-egypt-great-sphinx) — New Crocodile Species Discovered in the Limestone Used to Build Egypt's Great Sphinx Is 45 Million Years Old
- [GB News](https://gbnews.com/science/archaeology-egypt-sphinx-giza-crocodile) — Egypt's Great Sphinx of Giza 'built with crocodile fossils', British scientists reveal
- [Euronews](https://euronews.com/2026/10/07/scientists-identify-ancient-egyptian-crocodile-whose-skull-is-missing-its-nose-like-the-sp) — Scientists identify ancient Sphinx-like Egyptian crocodile
- [Clarin](https://clarin.com/internacional/descubren-nueva-especie-cocodrilo-rocas-gran-esfinge-egipto_0_jIqQpvukeL.html) — Discover a New Species of Crocodile Among the Rocks of the Great Sphinx of Egypt
- [Life.ru](https://life.ru/p/uchenye-obnaruzhili-okamenelosti-drevnego-krokodila-v-porodah-bolshogo-sfinksa) — Scientists Found Fossils of an Ancient Crocodile in the Breeds of Big Sphinx.
- [ТСН.ua](https://tsn.ua/tsikavinki/tayemnytsia-sfinksa-zdyvuvala-vchenykh-do-choho-tut-krokodyly-vikom-54-mln-rokiv-3183467.html) — The Mystery of the Sphinx Surprised Scientists: Why Are 54 Million Year Old Crocodiles Here
- [studyfinds.com](https://studyfinds.com/ancient-crocodile-sphinx-formation) — Ancient Crocodile From Sphinx's Rock Formation Misidentified For A Century
- [La Razón](https://larazon.es/actualidad/esfinge-podria-ocultar-secreto-54-millones-anos-descubren-fosiles-antiguo-cocodrilo-sus-rocas-b51m_202610076ac6264448d2d008d0c8c75d.html) — The Sphinx Could Hide a Secret of 54 Million Years: They Discover Fossils of an Ancient Crocodile in Its Rocks
- [Internewscast](https://internewscast.com/news/great-sphinx-carved-from-rock-rich-in-ancient-crocodile-fossils) — Great Sphinx Carved From Rock Rich in Ancient Crocodile Fossils
- [NewsFinale](https://newsfinale.com/us/great-sphinx-of-giza-was-built-with-rocks-containing-crocodile-fossils) — Great Sphinx of Giza Was Built With Rocks Containing Crocodile Fossils
- [Blikk.hu](https://blikk.hu/ferfiaknak/tech/uj-krokodil-faj-felfedezes-egyiptom-szfinx/cpxtkxm) — Even the Pharaohs Wouldn't Have Believed It: a New Fossilized Crocodile Species Was Found in the Great Sphinx
- [scinexx.de](https://scinexx.de/news/biowissen/ausgestorbene-krokodilart-im-gestein-der-grossen-sphinx-entdeckt) — Extinct Crocodile Species Discovered in the Rock of the Great Sphinx
- [La Brújula Verde](https://labrujulaverde.com/2026/10/descubren-el-fosil-de-una-especie-desconocida-de-cocodrilo-de-hace-45-millones-de-anos-en-la-misma-roca-de-la-esfinge-de-giza-y-tambien-le-falta-la-nariz) — They Discover the Fossil of an Unknown Species of Crocodile 45 Million Years Ago in the Same Rock of the Sphinx of Giza, and Also Lacks the Nose
- [Gândul](https://gandul.ro/actualitate/descoperire-sfinxul-giza-fosila-crocodil-21027520) — Surprising Discovery of the Sphinx in Giza
- [abovethenormnews.com](https://abovethenormnews.com/2026/10/07/new-crocodile-species-great-sphinx) — New Crocodile Species Found In Same Rocks As Great Sphinx
- [historia.ro](https://historia.ro/sectiune/actualitate/o-specie-necunoscuta-de-crocodil-disparut-2562364.html) — An Unknown Species of Missing Crocodile, Discovered in the Rock of the Great Sfinx of Egypt
- [Haberler](https://haberler.com/guncel/misir-da-sfenks-kayalarindaki-fosiller-yaklasik-45-20305286-haberi) — Fossils Found in the Sphinx Rocks in Egypt Have Been Identified as Belonging to a New Crocodile Approximately 45 Million Years Old.
- [antena3.ro](https://antena3.ro/life/stiinta/ce-ascundea-roca-din-care-a-fost-construit-marele-sfinx-cercetatorii-au-identificat-o-specie-necunoscuta-806113.html) — What the Rock Was Hiding From Which the Great Sfinx Was Built. Researchers Have Identified an Unknown Species
- [EL NACIONAL](https://elnacional.com/2026/10/una-nueva-especie-de-cocodrilo-fue-descubierta-en-la-gran-esfinge) — A New Species of Crocodile Was Discovered in the Great Sphinx of Egypt
- [Issuesfr](https://issues.fr/un-crocodilien-eteint-a-ete-decouvert-parmi-les-rochers-qui-ont-construit-le-grand-sphinx) — An Extinct Crocodile Was Discovered Among the Rocks that Built the Great Sphinx
- [Svenska Dagbladet](https://svd.se/a/jvQzMw/ny-krokodilart-upptackt-i-sfinxens-sten) — New Crocodile Species Discovered – in the Sphinx Stone
- [Scienmag: Latest Science and Health News](https://scienmag.com/extinct-crocodile-with-a-missing-snout-tip-emerges-from-the-stones-of-the-great-sphinx) — Extinct crocodile with a missing snout tip emerges from the stones of the
- [robertocavada.com](https://robertocavada.com/descubren-una-nueva-especie-de-cocodrilo-entre-las-rocas-de-la-gran-esfinge-de-egipto) — Discover a New Species of Crocodile Among the Rocks of the Great Sphinx of Egypt
- [CTV News](https://ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/article/scientists-name-ancient-crocodile-species-found-in-rock-that-built-the-great-sphinx) — Scientists name ancient crocodile species found in rock that built the Great Sphinx
- [Discover Magazine](https://discovermagazine.com/this-newly-identified-species-of-extinct-crocodile-is-missing-the-tip-of-its-nose-just-like-the-great-sphinx-49778) — This Newly Identified Species of Extinct Crocodile is Missing the Tip of Its Nose, Just Like the Great Sphinx
- [KESQ](https://kesq.com/cnn-other/2026/10/06/scientists-name-ancient-crocodile-species-found-in-rock-that-built-the-great-sphinx) — Scientists name ancient crocodile species found in rock that built the Great Sphinx
- [KEYT](https://keyt.com/news/national-world/cnn-other/2026/10/06/scientists-name-ancient-crocodile-species-found-in-rock-that-built-the-great-sphinx) — Scientists name ancient crocodile species found in rock that built the Great Sphinx
- [KIFI](https://localnews8.com/cnn-other/2026/10/06/scientists-name-ancient-crocodile-species-found-in-rock-that-built-the-great-sphinx) — Scientists name ancient crocodile species found in rock that built the Great Sphinx
- [KMIZ](https://abc17news.com/cnn-other/2026/10/06/scientists-name-ancient-crocodile-species-found-in-rock-that-built-the-great-sphinx) — Scientists name ancient crocodile species found in rock that built the Great Sphinx
- [KRDO](https://krdo.com/news/2026/10/06/scientists-name-ancient-crocodile-species-found-in-rock-that-built-the-great-sphinx) — Scientists name ancient crocodile species found in rock that built the Great Sphinx
- [KVIA](https://kvia.com/cnn-other/2026/10/06/scientists-name-ancient-crocodile-species-found-in-rock-that-built-the-great-sphinx) — Scientists name ancient crocodile species found in rock that built the Great Sphinx
- [kimt.com](https://kimt.com/news/scientists-name-ancient-crocodile-species-found-in-rock-that-built-the-great-sphinx/article_51c84634-8867-5a67-b957-1857403af8cc.html) — Scientists name ancient crocodile species found in rock that built the Great Sphinx
- [kioncentralcoast.com](https://kioncentralcoast.com/cnn-other/2026/10/06/scientists-name-ancient-crocodile-species-found-in-rock-that-built-the-great-sphinx) — Scientists name ancient crocodile species found in rock that built the Great Sphinx
- [Conservation news](https://news.mongabay.com/2026/10/new-crocodile-species-found-fossilized-in-stone-used-to-build-egypts-great-sphinx) — New crocodile species found fossilized in stone used to build Egypt’s Great Sphinx
- [Hola News](https://holanews.com/descubren-una-nueva-especie-de-cocodrilo-entre-las-rocas-de-la-gran-esfinge-de-egipto) — Discover a New Species of Crocodile Among the Rocks of the Great Sphinx of Egypt
- [dailymail.com](https://dailymail.com/sciencetech/article-16187141/Sphinx-built-ancient-crocodile-fossils.html) — The Sphinx was built from rocks filled with fossils of crocodiles
- [Nautilus](https://nautil.us/from-the-great-sphinxs-raw-materials-a-new-crocodile-species-surfaces-1285592) — From the Great Sphinx’s Raw Materials, a New Crocodile Species Surfaces
- [Popular Science](https://popsci.com/environment/new-crocodile-rocks-great-sphinx-egypt) — New crocodile species found in rocks of Egypt's Great Sphinx
- [Science News](https://sciencenews.org/article/extinct-crocodilian-rocks-great-sphinx) — An extinct crocodilian was found among rocks that built the Great Sphinx

## Questions

**What is the new species of crocodile called?**

The new species of extinct crocodile has been named Herugavialis cairensis. This name was inspired by the Egyptian god Heru, or Horus, and the striking similarity between a key fossil skull and the Great Sphinx, both of which are missing the tip of their snouts.

**Where were the fossils of Herugavialis cairensis found?**

The fossils were discovered in the Mokattam Formation in northern Egypt. This geological layer is significant because it is the same limestone quarried by ancient Egyptians to construct the Great Sphinx and the pyramids at Giza.

**What is the evolutionary significance of this discovery?**

The identification of Herugavialis cairensis adds to the understanding of gharials, a group of crocodilians with a complex evolutionary history. It helps scientists reconstruct the diversity of prehistoric marine life in the Mediterranean region and sheds light on the global distribution of this lineage.

**Why is the missing snout tip of the fossil important?**

The nearly complete skull fossil of Herugavialis cairensis is missing the tip of its snout, a feature that mirrors the famously damaged nose of the Great Sphinx. This coincidence is not only a curious link but also influenced the naming of the new crocodile species.

---

MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/tech/new-crocodile-species-herugavialis-cairensis-identified-from-45-million-year-old. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "New Crocodile Species Herugavialis cairensis Identified From 45-Million-Year-Old Fossils", https://mediabias.news/tech/new-crocodile-species-herugavialis-cairensis-identified-from-45-million-year-old