1.3" Phytosaur Fossil Vertebrae Triassic Age Archosaur Redonda FM NM COA

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

Weight: 1.4 Ounces 

Dimensions: 1.3 Inches Long, 1.3 Inches Wide, 1.1 Inches Thick

Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

The item pictured is the one you will receive.

Late Triassic 242 To 199 Million Years Old

Phytosaurs were large extinct archosaurs that lived during the Late Triassic period, over 200 million years ago. These crocodile-like reptiles inhabited freshwater rivers, lakes, and swamp environments, where they functioned as dominant semi-aquatic predators. Although they closely resembled modern crocodiles, phytosaurs were not true crocodilians, representing an early and separate branch of archosaur evolution.

The defining feature of phytosaurs is their elongated snout armed with sharp, conical teeth, ideal for catching fish, amphibians, and small terrestrial animals. Unlike crocodiles, their external nostrils were positioned high on the skull near the eyes, an adaptation that allowed them to breathe while remaining mostly submerged. Their bodies were reinforced with thick bony armor (osteoderms), providing defense and stability in aquatic habitats.

The name “phytosaur”, meaning plant lizard, is a historical misnomer based on early fossil interpretations. Later discoveries clearly showed these animals were active carnivores. Fossils of phytosaurs have been found across North America, Europe, India, and Africa, indicating a wide geographic distribution during the Late Triassic.

A notable genus, Rutiodon, is known from fossils in the eastern United States and reached lengths of 3 to 8 meters, making it one of the largest predators of its time. Phytosaurs disappeared during the end-Triassic extinction event, but their body design strongly influenced the later evolution of true crocodilians, highlighting their importance in prehistoric reptile history.