{"product_id":"5-5-dinosaur-coprolite-fossil-polished-slab-specimen-poop-dung-harry-mountain-utah-06all264","title":"5.5\" Dinosaur Coprolite Fossil Polished Slab Specimen Poop Dung Harry Mountain Utah","description":"\u003cp\u003eLocation: Harry Mountain, Morrison Formation, Utah\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeight: 2 Pounds 1.1 Ounces \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDimensions: 5.5 Inches Long, 2.8 Inches Wide, 2.8 Inches Thick\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(30, 122, 8);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Item pictured is the one you will receive.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(174, 89, 10);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDinosaur Coprolites\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, or fossilized feces, are a significant category of trace fossils that provide direct evidence of the dietary habits, digestive physiology, and ecosystems of extinct organisms.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eIn Utah, these specimens are predominantly found in the Morrison Formation, a vast sequence of Upper Jurassic sedimentary rocks dating to approximately 150 million years ago.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eUnlike body fossils, which reveal an animal's morphology, coprolites offer a \"snapshot\" of biological behavior, such as predation or herbivory.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe recognition of these fossils was pioneered by William Buckland in 1829, who identified them as excrement rather than the \"fossil fir cones\" they were previously thought to be.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGeological Context and Mineralization\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe coprolites discovered in Utah, especially near the Henry Mountains and San Rafael Swell, are famous for their distinctive preservation through\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eagatization.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOver millions of years, organic material was replaced by silica-rich minerals like chalcedony, quartz, and jasper.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThis process often creates a colorful, glass-like matrix that preserves microscopic internal structures. Although the biological material is absent, mineral pseudomorphs retain the shapes of undigested plant matter and seeds, as well as evidence of parasites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIdentification and Biological Origin\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost large coprolites from the Utah Morrison Formation are attributed to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003esauropods—the large, long-necked herbivores such as\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eApatosaurus\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eor\u003cem\u003e Diplodocus\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eIdentification relies on size—some exceeding 60 centimeters—and the lack of bone fragments, which would suggest a carnivorous diet.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eScientific studies have identified:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDietary Composition:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFragments of conifer wood, decayed vegetation, and knobby cuticles are common in the fecal groundmass.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChemical Markers:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eElevated levels of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, indicating mineralized remains of the animal's last meal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEcological Impact:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eEvidence suggests that methane generated by microbial activity in sauropod guts may have impacted the Mesozoic climate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Utah Dump 26","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51952799219992,"sku":"06ALL264","price":77.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1250\/0441\/files\/5U8A5753_67122976-6ad8-4690-9e02-7133bbe573f8.jpg?v=1776220993","url":"https:\/\/www.fossilageminerals.com\/products\/5-5-dinosaur-coprolite-fossil-polished-slab-specimen-poop-dung-harry-mountain-utah-06all264","provider":"Fossil Age Minerals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}