0.4 Crocodile Borealosuchus Fossil Tooth Judith River FM Montana COA Display

Location: Judith River Formation, Montana (Private Land Origin)

Weight: 0.3 Ounces

Dimensions: 0.4 Inches Long, 0.2 Inches Wide, 0.2 Inches Thick

Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Comes with a Free Display.

The item pictured is the one you will receive.

Cretaceous Age through to the Eocene Age

Name: Borealosuchus ‭(‬Boreal crocodile‭)‬.

Named By: Chris Brochu‭ ‬-‭ ‬1997.

Classification: Chordata,‭ ‬Reptilia,‭ ‬Crocodylomorpha,‭ ‬Crocodylia.

Diet: Carnivore/Piscivore.

Size: Up to‭ ‬2.8‭ ‬meters long,‭ ‬though there is some variance between species.

Time period: Campanian of the Cretaceous through to the Eocene.

Fossil representation: ‭Skulls and postcranial remains.

Origin of the Genus:
- Established after a revision of Leidyosuchus, long considered a “wastebasket taxon”.
- Four former species of Leidyosuchus were reassigned to Borealosuchus.
- Two additional species have since been named under this genus.
Physical Characteristics:
- Mid-sized crocodile genus.
- Largest species: Borealosuchus acutidentatus.
- Length: approximately 280 cm (2.8 meters).
- Skull length: around 36 cm.
- Likely a predator in rivers, lakes, and wetlands, feeding on fish and small vertebrates.
Survival and Extinction:
- Borealosuchus survived the Cretaceous–Paleogene (K–T) extinction, which wiped out dinosaurs, pterosaurs, and many marine reptiles.
- Other crocodile genera like Dyrosaurus and Brachychampsa also survived.
- Likely survival factors: semi-aquatic lifestyle, physiological resilience, and ecological versatility.
Significance:
- Demonstrates how crocodiles’ adaptations allowed them to endure catastrophic events that eliminated many other species.
- Highlights the evolutionary success and longevity of crocodilians.