XL 2" Mosasaur Prognathodon Fossil Tooth Cretaceous Dinosaur Era COA & Stand
Location: Oued Zem, Morocco
Weight: 1.3 Ounces
Dimensions: 2 Inches Long, 1.2 Inches Wide, 1 Inch Thick
Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Comes with a Free Stand and Mineral Tack.
The item pictured is the one you will receive.
100 - 66 Million Years old, Upper Cretaceous, Maastrichtian Epoch.
Name: Prognathodon
Type: Carnivore
Size: 6 to 14 meters in length
Prognathodon was a powerful genus of mosasaur, an extinct group of marine lizards that dominated the oceans during the Cretaceous Period, approximately 100 to 66 million years ago. Unlike many mosasaurs that specialized in fast-moving prey, Prognathodon evolved as a heavy-jawed predator, uniquely adapted for crushing hard-shelled animals.
Its massive skull and enlarged jaw muscles produced exceptional bite force, allowing it to feed on ammonites, turtles, and shellfish with ease. The teeth of Prognathodon were thick and durable for shell-crushing, yet also featured sharp edges and subtle serrations for slicing flesh, making it an efficient predator of both armored and soft-bodied prey.
Prognathodon also possessed well-developed sclerotic rings in the eye sockets, structures that helped support the eye and maintain corneal shape. These features may have aided in maintaining vision under increased water pressure, suggesting potential adaptation for deeper or more demanding marine environments.
One notable anatomical distinction between Prognathodon and Mosasaurus is tooth count. Prognathodon generally had fewer teeth, reflecting its specialization for powerful crushing bites rather than rapid snapping, further highlighting its unique ecological role among mosasaurs.
Please be aware of the nature of fossils:
Being buried under tons of pressure for millions of years can be quite rough. Rarely is a fossil found completely intact and perfect. Most fossils require some restoration, and sometimes humans modify them to improve their appearance. The Moroccan workers are highly skilled in excavating and preserving these natural treasures, but natural cracks often appear on the surface. These cracks are part of the fossil's natural beauty and are not flaws.
