Dr. David Schwimmer, a geology professor at Columbus State University and a recognized expert on the prehistoric crocodilian genus Deinosuchus, has played a key role in developing the first scientifically accurate mounted skeleton replica of Deinosuchus schwimmeri. This species, which lived between 83 million and 76 million years ago in what is now the eastern United States, was a large predator reaching up to 31 feet in length.
The new replica was commissioned by the Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville, Georgia, and is now installed there. Schwimmer worked with Triebold Paleontology Inc., which specializes in fossil skeleton models for museums and universities worldwide. The two-year project used high-resolution 3D scans of fossils to reconstruct details such as dermal armor and skeletal structure.
“Each year, we have thousands of students visit us from across Georgia and neighboring states,” said Hannah Eisla, director of education at the Tellus Science Museum. “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.”
Rebecca Melsheimer, curatorial coordinator at Tellus Science Museum, noted: “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. 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.”
Deinosuchus schwimmeri was formally named after Schwimmer by paleontologists in 2020 following years of his research involving fossil study, publications, presentations, and his book published in 2002 on North American Cretaceous crocodilians. The naming recognized “his tireless work on the Late Cretaceous paleontology of the Southeast and Eastern Seaboard, USA,” according to an article published by the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.
Schwimmer’s research over four decades included fieldwork funded by National Geographic grants across Alabama, Georgia, and Texas. Fossil specimens he collected are preserved at institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., American Museum of Natural History in New York City, and Tellus Science Museum.
Schwimmer described creating science-informed replicas as meticulous work: “These replicas are more than just creating a ‘scare factor,’” he 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.”
His early fascination with Deinosuchus began during childhood visits to New York’s American Museum of Natural History. After joining Columbus State (then Columbus College) in 1978 and discovering his first Deinosuchus remains a year later, Schwimmer focused much of his career on reconstructing its life history.
His research led to several discoveries considered “firsts” for Georgia—including evidence for flying reptiles (pterodactyls), dinosaurs, and Deinosuchus itself—dating back to studies begun in the 1980s.
In addition to authoring “King of the Crocodylians: The Paleobiology of Deinosuchus” (2002), which became an Amazon top-seller among science books for several weeks and was featured by reading clubs like Discovery Educator Network’s group selection, Schwimmer continues updating his work as new findings emerge.
He also mentored undergraduate researchers at Columbus State University who contributed peer-reviewed studies related to Deinosuchus—including investigations into bite marks on dinosaur bones and analysis of fossilized dung—published internationally through outlets like New Mexico Museum Bulletin.
Schwimmer emphasized opportunities available for student involvement at regional universities: “[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,” he said.
With several fossil sites located near Columbus State University’s campus—within approximately 40 miles—the region has supported ongoing discovery efforts involving both faculty experts like Schwimmer and student researchers accompanying him into the field.
“Bones and fossils tell us only part of the story,” Schwimmer concluded. “Fully assembled life-size replicas become a blueprint for better understanding dynamic animals that creatures like Deinosuchus really were.”
