XL 2" Plesiosaur Zarafasaura Tooth Fossil In Matrix Cretaceous Dinosaur Era COA
Location: Khouribga, Morocco
Weight: 6.1 Ounces
Dimensions: 2.6 Inches Long, 2.3 Inches Wide, 1.9 Inches Thick (Matrix)
Tooth Dimensions: 2 Inches Long, 0.5 Inches Wide
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The item pictured is the one you will receive.
Plesiosaur Zarafasaura
The plesiosaur Zarafasaura oceanis represents an important member of the Elasmosauridae, a family of marine reptiles adapted for efficient swimming and characterized by remarkably long necks. The name Zarafasaura originates from the Arabic word for giraffe combined with the Greek word for lizard, an intentional reference to its elongated cervical region. The species name oceanis, meaning daughter of the sea, emphasizes its role as a fully marine predator.
First described in 2011 by Dr. Peggy Vincent and researchers from the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, Zarafasaura is known from partial cranial remains discovered in fossil-rich marine formations in Morocco. Based on anatomical comparisons, scientists estimate that this animal measured roughly 23 feet (7 meters) in total length.
Zarafasaura lived during the Late Cretaceous Period, approximately 72 to 66 million years ago, a time when warm, shallow seas covered much of present-day North Africa. These environments were home to a wide range of marine life, including ammonites, bony fish, and other reptiles. As a carnivore, Zarafasaura would have preyed on smaller marine animals, using quick head and neck movements to capture prey. Its existence highlights the continued success and specialization of long-necked plesiosaurs shortly before the mass extinction that ended the Mesozoic Era.
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.
