1.2" Mosasaur Prognathodon Fossil Tooth In Matrix Cretaceous Dinosaur Era COA
Location: Oued Zem, Morocco
Weight: 6.3 Ounces
Dimensions: 3.3 Inches Long, 2.4 Inches Wide, 1.5 Inches Thick (Matrix)
Tooth Dimensions: 1.2 Inches Long, 0.8 Inches Wide
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The item pictured is the one you will receive.
100 - 66 Million Years old, Upper Cretaceous, Maastrichtian Epoch.
Name: Prognathodon (Forejaw tooth).
Named By: Dollo - 1889.
Diet: Carnivore.
Size: Depending upon the species, Prognathodon could range between 6 and possibly just under 14 meters in length.
Known locations: Fossil locations suggest a worldwide distribution, but are especially well known from Europe and North America.
Time period: Campanian to Maastrichtian of the Cretaceous.
In the vast seas of the Late Cretaceous, Prognathodon carved out a unique place among the giant mosasaurs that ruled prehistoric oceans. Rather than chasing swift fish like many of its relatives, this formidable marine reptile specialized in hunting heavily armored prey. With powerful jaws and thick crushing teeth, Prognathodon fed on ammonites, turtles, and other shelled animals that most predators struggled to exploit.
Its evolutionary adaptations were remarkable. The skull was broad and heavy, capable of generating a tremendous bite force, while its teeth combined crushing strength with subtle cutting edges. Fossil discoveries from Canada provided direct evidence of this lifestyle, revealing preserved remains of shell-bearing animals inside its stomach area. Surprisingly, scientists also found evidence of large fish consumption, suggesting that Prognathodon balanced specialization with opportunistic feeding whenever prey availability changed.
The structure of its eyes hints at possible deep-diving behavior, allowing it to hunt prey in darker, high-pressure environments beneath the surface. Researchers continue to debate why this dietary shift occurred, but competition among predators and the abundance of shelled marine life likely played major roles. Today, Prognathodon remains one of the most striking examples of how mosasaurs adapted to different ecological roles, proving that even apex predators evolve in response to environmental change.
Please be aware of the nature of fossils:
Being buried under the ground for millions of years under tons of pressure tends to be rough. No fossil comes out of the ground whole and perfect. Most fossils have undergone some restoration, while others are altered by man simply to enhance their presentation in different ways. The workers in Morocco do a very professional job of unearthing and preserving these natural treasures; however, commonly, natural cracks are visible on the surface. These are part of the natural beauty of the fossil and are not considered defects.
