In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have uncovered the oldest crocodile eggshells ever found in Australia, shedding light on an ancient species that might have had the surprising ability to climb trees in search of prey.

The fossilized eggshell fragments were unearthed in the backyard of a farmer in Murgon, a quaint town located approximately 247 kilometers northwest of Brisbane. This discovery was made by an international team of researchers, including palaeontologists from the University of New South Wales (UNSW).

The fossils provide insights into the mekosuchine crocodiles that inhabited Australia around 55 million years ago.

In stark contrast, the crocodiles we know today—both saltwater and freshwater varieties—made their way to Australia only about 3.8 million years ago.

This particular species of mekosuchine discovered in Queensland has been named Wakkaoolithus godthelpi. According to experts, they were vastly different from the crocodiles we are familiar with today.

“It’s a bizarre idea, but some of them appear to have been terrestrial hunters in the forests,” UNSW palaeontologist Professor Michael Archer said.

“Some were also apparently at least partly semi-arboreal ‘drop crocs’.

“They were perhaps hunting like leopards, dropping out of trees on any unsuspecting thing they fancied for dinner.”

The latest discovery is not the only mekosuchine to be found in Queensland, with fossils estimated to be 25 million years old found in the Boodjamulla National Park in north-western Queensland.

Archer said the findings revealed the ancient crocodiles could have reached huge sizes, up to five metres long.

Modern crocodiles found in Australia are usually around four metres long if they are male, or three metres long if they are female.