XL 2" Plesiosaur Zarafasaura Tooth Fossil In Matrix Cretaceous Dinosaur Era COA

Location: Khouribga, Morocco

Weight: 5.7 Ounces

Dimensions: 4 Inches Long, 2.8 Inches Wide, 1.3 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

Zarafasaura oceanis was a long-necked plesiosaur belonging to the family Elasmosauridae, a group of marine reptiles uniquely adapted for life in open seas. The name of this genus reflects its unusual proportions, combining the Arabic word Zarafa, meaning giraffe, with the Greek saurus, meaning lizard, in reference to its elongated neck. The species name oceanis, translated as daughter of the sea, highlights its complete dependence on marine environments.

The species was formally described in 2011 by Dr. Peggy Vincent and colleagues at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris. The original material consists of partial skull remains discovered in Morocco, preserved in Late Cretaceous marine sediments. Although the fossils are incomplete, comparative studies with related elasmosaurids allow paleontologists to estimate that Zarafasaura reached lengths of approximately 23 feet (7 meters).

Zarafasaura lived during the Late Cretaceous Period, roughly 72 to 66 million years ago, at a time when vast shallow seas covered much of northern Africa. These warm waters supported a rich ecosystem of fish, cephalopods, and other marine reptiles. As a carnivore, Zarafasaura likely preyed on smaller, fast-moving marine animals, using its long neck to strike efficiently while its powerful flippers provided precise control and propulsion. The discovery of Zarafasaura adds to our understanding of plesiosaur diversity near the close of the Mesozoic Era and offers valuable insight into the complex marine ecosystems that existed just before the mass extinction event.

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.