1.8" Plesiosaur Zarafasaura Tooth Fossil In Matrix Cretaceous Dinosaur Era COA
Location: Khouribga, Morocco
Weight: 2.8 Ounces
Dimensions: 3.3 Inches Long, 2 Inches Wide, 1.3 Inches Thick (Matrix)
Tooth Dimensions: 1.8 Inches Long, 0.5 Inches Wide
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The item pictured is the one you will receive.
Plesiosaur Zarafasaura
Zarafasaura oceanis represents a relatively recent scientific discovery that has added to the known diversity of long-necked plesiosaurs. Described in 2011 by Dr. Peggy Vincent and colleagues from the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, the species is known from partial skull remains found in Morocco, a region that preserves a rich record of Late Cretaceous marine life.
The name Zarafasaura reflects the Arabic word for giraffe, paired with the Greek word for lizard, an appropriate reference to the animal’s elongated neck. The species name oceanis, meaning “daughter of the sea,” emphasizes its fully marine existence. As a member of the Elasmosauridae, Zarafasaura shared many features with other long-necked plesiosaurs, including a small head, numerous neck vertebrae, and large paddle-like flippers used for efficient swimming.
Zarafasaura lived approximately 72 to 66 million years ago, during the final stages of the Cretaceous Period. At an estimated length of about 23 feet (7 meters), it was a mid-sized elasmosaurid. It likely fed on fish, squid, and other small marine organisms, playing a key role as a carnivorous predator within its ecosystem. The discovery of Zarafasaura helps paleontologists better understand how plesiosaurs were distributed across ancient oceans and how diverse these marine reptiles remained right up until the end of the dinosaur era.
Please be aware of the nature of fossils:
Being buried underground for millions of years under immense pressure can be rough. Rarely does a fossil emerge fully intact and perfect. Most fossils require some restoration, and some are modified by humans to improve their appearance. Moroccan workers are highly skilled in discovering and conserving these natural treasures, though natural cracks often appear on the surface. These cracks are part of the fossil's natural charm and are not faults.
