2" Mosasaur Platecarpus Fossil Tooth Rooted Cretaceous Dinosaur Era COA
Location: Oued Zem, Morocco
Weight: 0.2 Ounces
Tooth Dimensions: 2 Inches Long, 0.8 Inches Wide, 0.4 Inches Thick
Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
The item pictured is the one you will receive.
100 - 66 Million Years old, Upper Cretaceous, Maastrichtian Epoch.
Name: Platecarpus (Flat wrist).
Named By: Edward Drinker Cope - 1869.
Diet: Carnivore.
Size: 4.3 meters long.
Time period: Santonian to early Campanian of the Cretaceous.
Fossil representation: Remains of multiple individuals, some of them revealing impressions of soft tissues.
Platecarpus was a medium-sized mosasaur, an extinct marine reptile that ruled the shallow seas during the Late Cretaceous period. Known for its long, narrow jaws lined with sharp, pointed teeth, Platecarpus was a highly efficient predator that primarily hunted small fish and squid in ancient oceans.
Reaching lengths of up to 24 feet (7 meters), Platecarpus was smaller and more selective in its hunting behavior compared to its larger and more aggressive relative, Tylosaurus, one of the apex predators of its time. While Tylosaurus relied on powerful strikes and keen motion detection, Platecarpus focused on agile pursuit and precision feeding.
Platecarpus fossils are among the most commonly found mosasaur remains, with important discoveries made in ancient seabeds across North America, Europe, and Africa. These widespread finds make Platecarpus a key species for understanding mosasaur diversity and prehistoric marine ecosystems.
Like all mosasaurs, Platecarpus swam using a long, muscular, vertically flattened tail for propulsion, while its flipper-like limbs provided steering and stability. Some fossil specimens display evidence of thickened eardrums, suggesting specialized adaptations for detecting prey and pursuing fish into deeper water environments.
This Platecarpus mosasaur fossil represents a true piece of prehistoric ocean life and is ideal for fossil collectors, museums, educators, and natural history enthusiasts seeking an authentic marine reptile specimen from the age of dinosaurs.
Please be aware of the nature of fossils:
Being buried under tons of pressure for millions of years can be quite harsh. No fossil is found entirely intact and perfect. Most fossils require some restoration, and some are even modified by humans to improve their appearance. In Morocco, workers perform a highly professional job of uncovering and preserving these natural treasures, although natural cracks are often visible on the surface. These cracks are part of the fossil's natural beauty and are not seen as flaws.
