1.4" Mosasaur Prognathodon Fossil Tooth In Matrix Cretaceous Dinosaur Era COA

Location: Oued Zem, Morocco

Weight: 3.6 Ounces

Dimensions: 3.4 Inches Long, 1.4 Inches Wide, 1.4 Inches Thick (Matrix)

Tooth Dimensions: 1.4 Inches Long, 0.8 Inches Wide

Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. 

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.

Prognathodon was a powerful late mosasaur and one of the most specialized marine predators of the Late Cretaceous seas. Unlike many mosasaurs that hunted fish and large marine reptiles, Prognathodon evolved a unique shell-crushing feeding strategy similar to earlier Triassic placodont reptiles. Its diet focused on hard-shelled prey such as ammonites, turtles, and shellfish, supported by a massive jaw and strong, serrated crushing teeth built for both breaking shells and slicing flesh.

Fossil discoveries in Canada during the early 21st century confirmed long-standing theories about the Prognathodon diet, revealing preserved stomach contents including turtle remains, ammonites, and even a large fish measuring over 160 centimeters. These findings show that while Prognathodon was highly specialized for durophagy (shell-crushing predation), it also behaved as an opportunistic hunter when available prey allowed.

The robust skull and high bite force of Prognathodon highlight its role as a dominant marine reptile, while bony rings around its eye sockets suggest adaptation to deep-water environments where it may have hunted ammonites under high pressure conditions. Researchers believe its dietary shift may have been driven by competition among apex marine predators or the exploitation of abundant hard-shelled prey resources during the Late Cretaceous period.

Alongside other shell-crushing mosasaurs such as Globidens, Prognathodon demonstrates the remarkable evolutionary diversity of mosasaurs, showcasing how these marine reptiles adapted to different ecological niches in prehistoric oceans.

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.