0.4" Tyrannosaur Fossil Premax Tooth Cretaceous Dinosaur Judith River FM MT COA
Location: Judith River Formation, Hill County, Montana (Private Land Origin)
Weight: 0.3 Ounces
Dimensions: 0.4 Inches Long, 0.2 Inches Wide, 0.2 Inches Thick
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Probably an excellent Gorgosaurus or Albertosaurus tooth, based on the size and base height of the tooth cross-section
Albertosaurus, Gorgosaurus, and Daspletosaurus
The Judith River Formation, approximately 70 million years old, is about five million years older than the famous Hell Creek Formation, which is known for producing Tyrannosaurus rex fossils. During the Late Cretaceous period, several tyrannosaurs inhabited northern North America, including Albertosaurus, Daspletosaurus, and Gorgosaurus. Fossils of these large theropod dinosaurs have been discovered in the Judith River Formation in Montana and in various formations in Alberta, Canada.
These tyrannosaurs were all related and are considered early relatives of Tyrannosaurus rex, which appeared later at the end of the Cretaceous. Each species was smaller than T. rex but still a formidable predator. Daspletosaurus and Gorgosaurus were similar in size, coexisting in the same ecosystems, reaching lengths of approximately 30 feet and weighing up to 5,000 pounds. Albertosaurus was of comparable length but had a lighter build, with a maximum estimated weight of 4,000 pounds, and appears to have evolved slightly later than its Judith River Formation relatives.
The teeth of Albertosaurus, Daspletosaurus, and Gorgosaurus share similar dimensions and morphology, making the identification of isolated specimens challenging. Daspletosaurus, being somewhat larger and belonging to the same subfamily as Tyrannosaurus rex, likely possessed dental features more closely aligned with T. rex. In contrast, Albertosaurus teeth are smaller and more slender, adapted for slicing prey.
These exquisitely preserved Late Cretaceous tyrannosaur teeth from northern North America are highly significant, representing early relatives of Tyrannosaurus rex and offering critical insight into the evolution and diversity of apex predators during the Late Cretaceous.
