XL 1" Phytosaur Fossil Tooth Triassic Age Archosaur Redonda FM NM COA Display

Location: Redonda Formation, New Mexico (Private Land Origin) 

Weight: 0.4 Ounces 

Dimensions: 1 Inch Long, 0.6 Inches Wide, 0.5 Inches Thick

Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Comes with a Free Display.

The item pictured is the one you will receive.

This is a real fossil.

Late Triassic 242 To 199 Million Years Old

Phytosaurs were a group of large, semi-aquatic archosaurs that thrived during the Upper Triassic period. These prehistoric reptiles were long-snouted, heavily armored, and bore a striking resemblance to modern crocodiles in size, appearance, and lifestyle—a classic example of convergent or parallel evolution. Despite their crocodile-like form, phytosaurs were not true crocodilians, though they were more closely related to crocodilians than to other modern reptiles. Their name, meaning “plant reptile”, reflects early misinterpretations of their diet; fossil evidence, especially their sharp conical teeth, clearly identifies them as predatory reptiles.

One of the most notable genera of phytosaurs is Rutiodon, an extinct archosaur from the family Phytosauridae. Rutiodon lived during the Late Triassic and reached lengths of 3 to 8 meters, making it one of the dominant semi-aquatic predators of its ecosystems. Fossils of Rutiodon have been discovered in the eastern United States, providing important insight into Triassic freshwater habitats, such as rivers, lakes, and wetlands. Like other phytosaurs, Rutiodon had an elongated snout, powerful jaws, and a heavily armored body, ideal for hunting fish, amphibians, and small vertebrates.

Phytosaurs like Rutiodon illustrate the early evolutionary experiments in archosaur body plans, bridging the gap between primitive reptiles and later true crocodilians. They serve as iconic examples of prehistoric apex predators, showcasing the diversity of Late Triassic ecosystems. Fossils of phytosaurs and Rutiodon are highly valued in museum collections, educational resources, and paleo-research, providing a window into the lives of ancient semi-aquatic reptiles.