XL 1.2" Phytosaur Fossil Tooth Triassic Age Archosaur Redonda FM NM COA & Display

Location: Redonda Formation, New Mexico (Private Land Origin) 

Weight: 0.4 Ounces 

Dimensions: 1.2 Inches Long, 0.8 Inches Wide, 0.5 Inches Thick

Comes with a Free Display.

Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

The item pictured is the one you will receive.

This is a real fossil.

Late Triassic 242 To 199 Million Years Old

Phytosaurs were an extinct group of large, semi-aquatic archosaurs that thrived during the Upper Triassic period. These reptiles were long-snouted, heavily armored, and bore a striking resemblance to modern crocodiles in size, appearance, and behavior, illustrating a classic case of convergent or parallel evolution. The name “phytosaur”, meaning “plant reptile”, comes from an early misconception that these reptiles were herbivorous. However, the sharp, conical teeth of phytosaurs clearly indicate that they were carnivorous predators. While not true crocodilians, phytosaurs were more closely related to crocodiles than to other modern reptiles. True crocodiles did not evolve a similar body plan until the Lower Jurassic. Current research generally places phytosaurs as basal crurotarsans, possibly the earliest group of this lineage.

Among phytosaurs, Rutiodon is a notable genus within the family Phytosauridae. Rutiodon lived during the Late Triassic and reached lengths of 3 to 8 meters, making it one of the apex predators of its freshwater habitats. Fossils of Rutiodon have been discovered in the eastern United States, where it likely hunted fish, amphibians, and smaller vertebrates. Its elongated snout, powerful jaws, and armored body made it well-adapted to semi-aquatic life, navigating rivers, lakes, and wetlands with efficiency.

Phytosaurs like Rutiodon provide essential insights into the evolution of archosaurs, prehistoric predator-prey dynamics, and the diversity of Late Triassic ecosystems. Fossils of these reptiles are valuable for paleontological research, educational collections, and museum displays, showcasing a fascinating chapter in the history of ancient semi-aquatic reptiles.