1.5" Crocodile Fossil Toe Bone Hell Creek FM Cretaceous Dinosaur Age MT
Location: Hell Creek Formation, Montana (Private Land Origin)
Weight: 0.3 Ounces
Dimensions: 1.5 Inches Long, 0.8 Inches Wide, 0.7 Inches Thick
The item pictured is the one you will receive.
Cretaceous Age through to the Eocene Age
Crocodiles are reptiles of the order Crocodylia that have existed for millions of years, evolving into a wide variety of species over time. During the Cretaceous Period, approximately 145 to 66 million years ago, several crocodile species inhabited the Hell Creek Formation in the northern United States. This formation, which spans parts of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming, preserves a rich record of Late Cretaceous terrestrial ecosystems, providing a glimpse into the diverse flora and fauna of the time.
Among the crocodiles that lived in this environment, Deinosuchus stands out as one of the most impressive. A giant predator of the Late Cretaceous, some individuals of Deinosuchus reached lengths of up to 40 feet (12 meters). It had a robust, muscular body, a long snout filled with sharp teeth, and powerful limbs adapted for both swimming and walking on land. As an apex predator, Deinosuchus likely preyed on dinosaurs and other large animals, dominating its ecosystem.
Another species, Borealosuchus, was a medium-sized crocodile measuring approximately 10–15 feet (3–4.5 meters) in length. More slender and agile than Deinosuchus, Borealosuchus had a long, narrow snout lined with sharp teeth, suggesting it primarily hunted fish and small vertebrates. Its adaptations made it a versatile predator within the freshwater environments of the Hell Creek Formation.
The third crocodile species, Leidyosuchus, was smaller, reaching lengths of about 6–8 feet (1.8–2.4 meters). It featured a broad, rounded snout with blunt teeth, indicating a diet focused on mollusks, crustaceans, and other small aquatic creatures. Despite its modest size, Leidyosuchus played an important ecological role as a specialized feeder in the Late Cretaceous ecosystem.
Together, these crocodile species highlight the diversity and ecological complexity of the Hell Creek Formation. From massive apex predators like Deinosuchus to smaller, specialized hunters such as Leidyosuchus, crocodiles occupied a wide range of ecological niches, demonstrating the evolutionary success and adaptability of this ancient reptile group.
