The Rauisuchidae were one of a number of large predatory thecodonts that lived an active terrestrial lifestyle, probably more like theropod dinosaurs than standard reptiles.

These were all large animals, and in some cases huge.  The last known genus, Fasolasuchus, was as large as an allosaur or tyrannosaur, and preyed upon contemporary Melanorosauriud dinosaurs.  So efficent were the Rauisuchids in their office of top preditor that no large (around 6 metres) dinosaurian preditors were able to evolve until the Rauisuchids had become extinct, probably as a result of environmental factors or an asteroid ipact at the close of the Triassic.

Included genera:

- Rauisuchidae - Links -

Re: Postosuchus/Rauisuchus - Thomas R. Holtz, Jr.

Rauisuchia Translation and Pronunciation Guide - more than what the title indicates, this is an excellent description of every known genus of Prestosuchid, Rauisuchid, and Poposaurid thecodontia.  Includes a sound file (.au) giving the correct pronounciation of each name.  Unfortunately does not distinguish between Rauisuchidae and Prestosuchidae.  Mirror site
Michael J. Benton, 1984, "Rauisuchians and the success of dinosaurs"; Nature, vol 310, p. 101
Bernard Krebs, "Pseudosuchia", in Handbuch der Palaoherpetologie - Thecodontia, pp.40-98

Palaeos Page (incorporates some of this material, plus a lot of additional material)

Kingdoms of Life > Animalia > Vertebrata > Tetrapoda > Reptilia/Sauropsida > Archosauria > Thecodontia

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