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Researchers identified a theropod footprint in the Paraíba hinterland measuring 60 cm in length and 55 cm in width — the largest ever cataloged in all of Brazil — and the discovery reignites the debate about the predators that dominated South America during the Cretaceous
On the morning of April 10, 2026, a field team was walking through the rural area of Sousa, in the interior of Paraíba, when they spotted something unusual in the reddish sandstone.
It was a deep mark in the rock.
Three enormous toes with clear claws, preserved for 140 million years.
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Observed only once in the entire history of astronomy, the alignment of four planets in the Kepler-89 system was predicted to happen again in April 2026, but no telescope was pointed to record the phenomenon.
Upon measuring the impression, the researchers confirmed: 60 centimeters in length by 55 centimeters in width.
No other carnivorous dinosaur footprint ever recorded in Brazil comes close to this size.
A geosite with 80 cataloged species
The discovery occurred at the geosite Floresta dos Borba, an area of the rural community of the same name, within the Rio do Peixe Basin.
This basin is recognized as one of the most important in Brazil for paleontology.
Approximately 80 species of dinosaurs from the Cretaceous period have already been mapped in the region.
Furthermore, the fossil records help scientists reconstruct the presence of these animals throughout South America.
The area was immediately isolated after the identification, according to the Military Firefighters of Paraíba, who provided logistical support for the rescue and preservation operation.
Therefore, studies continue in the field to catalog all information before any manipulation of the material.
A 6-meter predator that no one expected to find there
Preliminary analyses indicate that the footprint belongs to a bipedal dinosaur of the type Abelisaurus, or a similar group of carnivorous theropods.
This animal would have been about 6 meters long.
Moreover, it was a top predator, capable of attacking herbivores much larger than itself.
“It’s a quite large foot. This is a group of dinosaurs we did not know existed in this region,” stated a specialist involved in the discovery.
Thus, the find is not just a size record.
It represents a taxonomic novelty for the Rio do Peixe Basin.
As a result, researchers will have to revise what they knew about the diversity of predators in northeastern Brazil during the Cretaceous.
From rock to laboratory — how it all happened
The sequence of events shows how quickly the team acted:
- April 10, 2026: registration of the footprint in the morning, in the community of Floresta dos Borba
- April 12: publication of the news, identifying the find as the largest in Brazil
- April 14: preliminary analyses confirm carnivorous origin and the start of cataloging
- April 16: Military Firefighters of Paraíba announce logistical support for the operation
The responsible team belongs to the Research and Preservation Project of the Geopaleontological and Archaeological Heritage of the Rio do Peixe Basin, with support from the Secretary of Science, Technology, Innovation, and Higher Education of Paraíba (Secties).
To understand the size — a simple comparison
The 60 cm long footprint is equivalent to almost four times the size of an adult human foot.
If placed next to a soccer ball, the mark would occupy almost three times the diameter of the ball.
Still, the animal that made it was not the largest dinosaur in the region.
Herbivores like sauropods could exceed 20 meters in length.
However, no other carnivorous footprint of this size had been documented on Brazilian soil until now.
Why this footprint changes what we knew
The Rio do Peixe Basin was already known for its thousands of fossil footprints.
However, the presence of a theropod from the Abelisaurus group in this specific area was not known.
This means that the diversity of predators in northeastern Brazil during the Cretaceous was greater than previous records indicated.
Moreover, the discovery could help map migratory routes between Brazil and Argentina, where Abelisaurus are more common.
Scientists are now working to accurately determine the species and understand how this predator fit into the local food chain.
Paraíba hinterland as a paleontological destination
Sousa was already attracting international researchers due to the richness of its geosites.
Now, with the confirmation of the largest carnivorous footprint in Brazil, attention is expected to grow.
The potential for paleontological tourism in the region is enormous.
However, controlled access and preservation of the site are the top priority for the research team.
Important caveats
The identification as Abelisaurus or carnivorous theropod is still preliminary.
Detailed studies are underway and may alter the taxonomic classification.
Furthermore, the sources so far are predominantly regional journalistic.
Academic publications and validation by international peers have not yet been conducted, which can take months or years in paleontology.
Even so, the size of the footprint and its geological context are measurable and documented facts by the field team and the Firefighters of Paraíba, who participated in the operation.
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