2.3" Mosasaur Prognathodon Anceps Fossil Tooth Rooted Cretaceous Dinosaur Era COA
Location: Oued Zem, Morocco
Weight: 0.4 Ounces
Dimensions: 2.3 Inches Long, 1 Inch Wide, 0.7 Inches Thick
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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 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 in Europe and North America.
Time period: Campanian to Maastrichtian of the Cretaceous.
Among the diverse mosasaurs of the Late Cretaceous, Prognathodon stands out as one of the most specialized and powerfully built marine reptiles. Rather than relying on speed alone, Prognathodon evolved into a bone-crushing, shell-breaking predator, capable of tackling prey that many other mosasaurs could not.
Its broad, reinforced skull housed massive jaw muscles that generated extreme bite forces. This allowed Prognathodon to crack open turtles, ammonites, and thick-shelled invertebrates, giving it access to a rich and relatively untapped food source. Its teeth were thick, durable, and uniquely adapted for both crushing armored prey and slicing softer tissue, making it an efficient and adaptable hunter.
Rare fossil discoveries have provided direct evidence of Prognathodon’s feeding habits. One exceptionally preserved specimen revealed stomach contents that included crushed turtle material, ammonite fragments, and even a large fish over 1.6 meters long, confirming that while it was a specialist shell-crusher, it also hunted large soft-bodied prey when the opportunity arose.
Prognathodon also shows evidence of anatomical features linked to deep-water foraging, including strong bony supports around the eyes. These adaptations suggest it could dive to greater depths, where ammonites were abundant, expanding its hunting range beyond shallow coastal waters.
The evolution of this unique feeding strategy may reflect intense competition among mosasaurs, shifts in marine ecosystems, or the ecological advantage of exploiting hard-shelled prey. Similar traits seen in mosasaurs like Globidens point to a broader evolutionary trend toward specialized crushing predators in Late Cretaceous seas.
Please be aware of the nature of fossils:
Being buried under the ground for millions of years under intense pressure can be harsh. Rarely does a fossil emerge completely intact and perfect. Most fossils require some restoration, and some are even modified by humans to improve their appearance. Moroccan workers are highly skilled at uncovering and preserving these natural treasures, though natural cracks are often visible on the surface. These cracks are part of the fossil’s natural charm and are not seen as flaws.
