XL 2" Plesiosaur Zarafasaura Tooth Fossil In Matrix Cretaceous Dinosaur Era COA
Location: Khouribga, Morocco
Weight: 3.1 Ounces
Dimensions: 2.4 Inches Long, 2 Inches Wide, 1.5 Inches Thick (Matrix)
Tooth Dimensions: 2 Inches Long, 0.5 Inches Wide
Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
The item pictured is the one you will receive.
Plesiosaur Zarafasaura
Zarafasaura Oceanis represents a fascinating member of the Elasmosauridae family, with its name ingeniously combining "zarafa," an Arabic term for giraffe, with "saurus," the Greek word for lizard—a nomenclature that translates to "daughter of the sea" in its Latin designation. This species was formally recognized in 2011 by Dr. Peggy Vincent and her research team at Paris's National Museum of Natural History, based on fragmentary skull material recovered from Moroccan deposits. These apex marine predators stretched approximately 23 feet in length and prowled ancient oceans during the Late Cretaceous, roughly 72 to 66 million years ago. Zarafasaura belongs to the broader Plesiosauridae family, a successful lineage of marine reptiles that persisted for more than 166 million years throughout the Mesozoic Era. Though frequently conflated with other plesiosaur genera in artistic renderings and popular culture—particularly within cryptozoological discussions involving legendary creatures like the Loch Ness Monster—Zarafasaura maintains its own distinct identity as a carnivorous marine reptile. With approximately 938 specimens documented in the paleontological record, this authentic tooth preserved in matrix provides tangible evidence of this remarkable Cretaceous predator.
Please be aware of the nature of fossils:
Being buried underground for millions of years under immense pressure can be rough. Rarely does a fossil emerge fully intact and perfect. Most fossils require some restoration, and some are modified by humans to improve their appearance. Moroccan workers are highly skilled in discovering and conserving these natural treasures, though natural cracks often appear on the surface. These cracks are part of the fossil's natural charm and are not faults.
