1" Nanotyrannus Tyrannosaurus Fossil Tooth Dinosaur Lance Creek FM WY COA
Location: Lance Creek Formation, Weston County, Wyoming (Private Land Origin)
Weight: 0.5 Ounces
Dimensions: 1 Inches Long, 0.5 Inches Wide, 0.2 Inches Thick
Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Comes with a Free Display.
The item pictured is the one you will receive.
Late Cretaceous, 67 Million Years Old
Name: Nanotryannus
Type: Carnivore
Size: 5 meters in length.
Nanotyrannus, meaning “dwarf tyrant,” is a controversial genus within tyrannosaurid dinosaurs, widely regarded by many paleontologists as a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex. Fossils attributed to Nanotyrannus are known from a relatively small skull dating between 72.1 and 66 million years ago, during the Late Cretaceous period. This dinosaur is primarily distinguished from adult Tyrannosaurus rex by its dental morphology and cranial bone fusion. Nanotyrannus exhibits 14–15 teeth per side in the maxilla and 16 teeth per side in the lower jaw, compared to T. rex’s lower tooth counts of 11–12 and 11–14, respectively.
These small theropods were likely active predators, potentially hunting in packs or pairs, targeting sizeable herbivorous dinosaurs such as ceratopsians and hadrosaurs. Their smaller size, agile build, and sharp teeth made them well-adapted for hunting or scavenging within Late Cretaceous ecosystems.
Despite the debate surrounding its classification, Nanotyrannus remains an important subject in the study of tyrannosaurid growth, juvenile morphology, and predatory behavior. Fossils attributed to Nanotyrannus provide critical insights into the life stages, hunting strategies, and ecological roles of juvenile tyrannosaurids, helping paleontologists understand how Tyrannosaurus rex developed from juvenile to apex predator.
Today, Nanotyrannus continues to captivate dinosaur enthusiasts, researchers, and fossil collectors, offering a rare glimpse into the early life and behavior of one of the most iconic carnivorous dinosaurs of the Late Cretaceous.
