1.6" Mosasaur Prognathodon Fossil Tooth In Matrix Cretaceous Dinosaur Era COA
Location: Oued Zem, Morocco
Weight: 6.2 Ounces
Dimensions: 3.4 Inches Long, 2.8 Inches Wide, 1.4 Inches Thick (Matrix)
Tooth Dimensions: 1.6 Inches Long, 1 Inch 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 on the species, Prognathodon could range from 6 to 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.
Among the many giant marine predators of the Late Cretaceous, Prognathodon has become especially notable because fossil discoveries have revealed rare details about both its anatomy and its feeding behavior. Initially known from isolated skulls and teeth, this mosasaur was long suspected to be a shell-crushing hunter due to its massive jaws and heavily built teeth. Later fossil finds confirmed these ideas when scientists discovered preserved stomach contents containing turtles, ammonites, and even large fish.
These discoveries transformed how paleontologists understand the ecology of Prognathodon. Its reinforced skull and jaw musculature suggest a powerful bite capable of breaking through armor-like shells, while the structure of its teeth allowed it to both crush and cut prey efficiently. Despite this specialization, evidence of fish consumption shows that it was also opportunistic, adapting its feeding strategy to changing environmental conditions.
Eye socket reinforcements may indicate adaptations for diving deeper than many other mosasaurs, potentially allowing access to prey in high-pressure marine environments. This combination of strength, specialization, and flexibility helped Prognathodon thrive in seas crowded with competing predators, making it one of the most intriguing mosasaurs known to science.
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.
