Dr. David Schwimmer, a leading authority on the massive North American crocodilian genus Deinosuchus and a geology professor at Columbus State University, has helped bring a prehistoric giant back to life. His decades of research played a key role in building the first scientifically accurate, fully mounted skeleton replica of Deinosuchus schwimmeri. Long described as a "dinosaur-killer," this enormous predator was likely at the very top of the food chain in its time.
Living in the eastern United States between 83 million and 76 million years ago, Deinosuchus schwimmeri was a school-bus-sized relative of modern alligators that preyed on dinosaurs. The animal could grow up to 31 feet (9.45 meters) long. A life-size replica of this ancient giant is now on display at the Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville, Georgia. The project reflects two years of collaboration between Schwimmer and Triebold Paleontology Inc., a company known for creating detailed fossil skeleton models for museums and institutions worldwide.
Museum Display Brings Prehistoric Ecosystem to Life
"Each year, we have thousands of students visit us from across Georgia and neighboring states," the Tellus Science Museum's director of education, Hannah Eisla, explained. "Many of these students come on school field trips specifically to learn more about the region they call home and how it has changed over time. The addition of Deinosuchus schwimmeri allows us to provide a more detailed picture of this area's ecosystem in the Cretaceous Period."
"Tellus is currently the only museum to have a cast of Deinosuchus schwimmeri, so this is an experience our visitors can't get anywhere else," added Rebecca Melsheimer, the museum's curatorial coordinator. "The scale of the dinosaurs and other creatures that lived during [the Late Cretaceous epoch] is hard to capture in words or pictures. We can tell you that Deinosuchus is 30 feet long, but seeing it is far more impactful."
Naming a New Species After Decades of Research
In 2020, a team of paleontologists officially identified and named the species Deinosuchus schwimmeri in recognition of Schwimmer's extensive contributions to the field. Their study, published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology in July 2020, noted that the name honored "his tireless work on the Late Cretaceous paleontology of the Southeast and Eastern Seaboard, USA." This recognition followed years of detailed fossil analysis, scientific publications, conference presentations, and Schwimmer's 2002 book on the genus .
For more than 40 years, Schwimmer has explored fossil sites across Alabama, Georgia and Texas in search of Deinosuchus remains. Supported in part by National Geographic grants, his work has uncovered important specimens that are now housed in major institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the Tellus Science Museum.
Building a Life-Size Replica With Modern Technology
According to Schwimmer, creating a scientifically accurate, full-scale replica requires careful attention to detail. For this project, the Triebold Paleontology team used high-resolution 3D scans of fossil specimens to reconstruct the animal's skeletal structure and armored skin features. The result is a highly detailed model that not only impresses visually but also contributes to scientific understanding.
"These replicas are more than just creating a 'scare factor,'" Schwimmer explained. "Understanding dinosaurs' predatory habits helps us decode some of nature's greatest survival strategies. By studying these ancient apex predators, we are essentially looking back in time to see exactly how life adapted and dominated a changing world."
A Lifelong Fascination With a Prehistoric Predator
Schwimmer's interest in Deinosuchus began during his childhood in New York City, where he lived just 10 blocks from the American Museum of Natural History. A display featuring a large skull first captured his imagination. He later discovered his first Deinosuchus fossil in 1979, shortly after joining Columbus State (then Columbus College). Since then, his work has focused on reconstructing the animal's biology and environment.
His research has made him a global expert on life during the Late Cretaceous epoch (100.5 million years ago to 66 million years ago) in the southeastern United States. Over the years, his studies have also helped identify several important fossil "firsts" in Georgia, including evidence of flying reptiles (pterodactyls), dinosaurs, and Deinosuchus itself.
Publications, Discoveries, and Scientific Impact
Schwimmer's findings from his early research years were compiled in his 2002 book, "King of the Crocodylians: The Paleobiology of Deinosuchus." The book gained wide attention, becoming an Amazon top-seller in its category and a popular selection among science-focused reading groups. He is currently working on an updated version.
His expertise has since been sought by major institutions such as Atlanta's Fernbank Museum of Natural History, the University of Texas' Vertebrate Paleontology Laboratory, and the Tellus Science Museum. These organizations have relied on his guidance for fossil interpretation and exhibit development.
In 2010, Schwimmer contributed to two notable studies related to Deinosuchus. One examined bite marks on dinosaur bones, while the other focused on fossilized dung (coprolites) studied by undergraduate Samantha (Harrell) Stanford under his supervision. Their work was published in the "New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Bulletin" and presented at the Geological Society of America Northeastern-Southeastern Annual Meeting.
Hands-On Research Opportunities for Students
Schwimmer emphasized that fields like paleontology and other Earth sciences offer valuable opportunities for students to participate in hands-on research close to home. Regional universities such as Columbus State allow students to work directly with faculty and gain field experience.
"[Harrell] came out in the field and collected fossils with me. At most universities, undergraduates rarely collaborate on or publish peer-reviewed research. Institutions of our size provide undergraduate students like Samantha with greater one-on-one access to faculty mentors and field-based research opportunities like this that, while local, are still quite impactful on the field," Schwimmer said.
A Local Fossil Treasure and a Window Into the Past
With several Deinosuchus fossil sites located within 40 miles of Columbus, the surrounding region has proven especially rich for discoveries. Schwimmer noted that this proximity makes the Tellus Science Museum an ideal location for displaying one of the first full-scale replicas.
"Bones and fossils tell us only part of the story," Schwimmer concluded. "Fully assembled, life-size replicas become a blueprint for better understanding the dynamic animals that creatures like Deinosuchus really were."
