a 1999 study by gregory m. erickson and christopher a. brochu suggested the growth rate of "deinosuchus" was comparable to that of modern crocodilians, but was maintained over a far longer time. their estimates, based on growth rings in the dorsal osteoderms of various specimens, indicated each "deinosuchus" might have taken over 35 years to reach full adult size, and the oldest individuals may have lived for more than 50 years. this was a completely different growth strategy than that of large dinosaurs, which reached adult size much more quickly and had shorter lifespans. according to erickson, a full-grown "deinosuchus" "must have seen several generations of dinosaurs come and go".