15.7" Mosasaur Prognathodon Fossil Jaw Section Teeth Cretaceous Dinosaur Era COA
Location: Oued Zem, Morocco
Weight: 5 Pounds 0.1 Ounces
Dimensions: 15.7 Inches Long, 5.3 Inches Wide, 2.6 Inches Thick
Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Comes with a Free Stand.
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 late Cretaceous Mosasaur that displayed a unique trend in predation, shifting from the typical apex predator role of mosasaurs to specialize in hard-shelled prey such as turtles, ammonites, and shellfish, similar to the early basal placodont reptiles of the Triassic, like Placodus. For years, its diet was inferred only from jaw and tooth structure, but Canadian fossil discoveries in the early 2000s confirmed its feeding habits. One specimen preserved the remains of turtles and ammonites in its stomach, along with a 160-centimeter-long fish, showing that while Prognathodon was specialized, it was also opportunistic, feeding on available large prey.
Prognathodon had a robust, heavy jaw capable of exerting high bite forces, powered by strong jaw muscles. Its teeth were particularly notable: strong, serrated, and well-adapted for crushing shells while simultaneously shearing flesh, making it highly effective at consuming both armored and soft-bodied prey. Another unique adaptation was the presence of bony rings around the eye sockets, which likely helped the eyes withstand higher pressures during deep-water dives in pursuit of ammonites.
The reason for Prognathodon’s dietary shift remains debated. It may have been due to intense competition for the apex predator niche, forcing it to exploit a different food source. Alternatively, it might have been driven by a decline in large prey traditionally hunted by mosasaurs, or simply to capitalize on an abundant supply of hard-shelled prey. Prognathodon was not alone in this adaptation; other mosasaurs like Globidens also evolved large, rounded crushing teeth to exploit similar dietary resources. This combination of specialized crushing teeth, opportunistic feeding, and deep-water adaptations highlights Prognathodon as one of the most fascinating examples of ecological flexibility and evolutionary innovation among mosasaurs.
Please be aware of the nature of fossils:
Being buried under tons of pressure for millions of years can be harsh. Few fossils emerge intact and perfect. Most have been restored to some degree, and some are modified by humans to improve their appearance. In Morocco, workers do a highly professional job of excavating and conserving these natural treasures, but natural cracks are often visible on their surface. These cracks are part of the fossil's natural charm and are not seen as flaws.
