Description
Location: Khouribga, Morocco
Weight: 10.3 Ounces
Dimensions: 4.4 Inches Long, 3.1 Inches Wide, 2 Inches Thick
Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
The item pictured is the one you will receive.
Plesiosaur Zarafasaura
Zarafasaura oceanis is an elasmosaurid marine reptile from the Late Cretaceous period (approximately 72–66 million years ago) that measured about 23 feet (7 meters) in length and was a carnivorous ocean predator. The genus name combines the Arabic Aarafa, meaning “giraffe,” with the Greek sauros, meaning “lizard,” while the species name translates to “daughter of the sea.” Described in 2011 by Dr. Peggy Vincent of the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, it is known from fragmentary cranial fossils discovered in Morocco. Plesiosaurus, a related genus within the broader Plesiosauriae family, lived exclusively in marine environments from approximately 228 million to 61.6 million years ago and was also carnivorous. With 938 documented specimens, Plesiosaurus is one of the best-represented marine reptiles in the fossil record, though artistic depictions often fail to distinguish it from other plesiosaurs and are frequently influenced by Loch Ness Monster mythology.
Please be aware of the nature of fossils:
Being buried for millions of years beneath tons of pressure can be rough on fossils. Rarely does a fossil emerge completely intact and flawless. Most require some restoration, and some are artificially altered to improve their appearance. In Morocco, workers are highly skilled in excavating and preserving these natural treasures. However, natural cracks are often visible on the surface, which are part of the fossil's natural beauty and not flaws.