THE skull of an extinct monster crocodile will be the centrepiece of a major exhibition in the new year.
But it is being kept under wraps and won't be unveiled until the opening of Supercrocodilians: Darwin's ultimate survival story in February.
The NT Museum will hold the exhibition to mark the bicentenary of evolutionist Charles Darwin's birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species.
Museum terrestrial vertebrates curator Dr Paul Horner said the exhibition would feature crocodile skeletons from around the world - but the jewel in the crown would be the Sarcosuchus from the Sahara.
"It's pretty impressive," he said. "It's an interesting animal - quite a narrow snouted croc.
"And it's huge. A human skull can just about fit in a nostril.
"The supercroc is the biggest crocodile known to have ever existed and the replica skull will no doubt prove to be a popular feature of the exhibition."
Mr Horner said crocodiles had not evolved much.
"That's because they are very good at what they do," he said.
"Crocodiles are more closely related to birds than other reptiles. "They have more in common with dinosaurs."
Mr Horner said he expected the exhibition to be popular.
"I think people love to see crocs," he said.
The exhibition will include skeletons and casts of freshwater crocodiles, alligators, African dwarf crocodiles, the long-snouted gavial from India, the South American black caiman and a genetic family tree.
Supercrocodilians: Darwin's ultimate survival story will be at the Museum and Art Gallery of the NT from February 14, until November.
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