XL 3.9" Mosasaur Prognathodon Fossil Tooth Rooted Cretaceous Dinosaur Era COA

Location: Oued Zem, Morocco

Weight: 2.3 Ounces

Dimensions: 3.9 Inches Long, 1.2 Inches Wide, 1.1 Inches Thick 

Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. 

The item pictured is the one you will receive. 

100-66 Million Years old, Upper Cretaceous, Maastrichtian Epoch.

Name: Prognathodon (Forejaw tooth).

Named By: Dollo - 1889.

Diet: Carnivore.

Size: Depending upon the species, Prognathodon could range between 6 and possibly just under 14 meters in length.

Known locations: Fossil locations suggest a worldwide distribution, but are especially well-known in Europe and North America.

Time period: Campanian to Maastrichtian of the Cretaceous.

 Prognathodon was a late Mosasaur that shifted its predation style, resembling the earlier basal placodont reptiles of the Triassic, such as Placodus. It specialized in consuming hard-shelled prey like shellfish, ammonites, and turtles. Initially, its diet was speculative based on teeth and jaw structure, but two discoveries in Canada in the early 2000s provided insights into its full body shape and diet. One specimen contained turtle and ammonite fossils where its stomach would have been, and it also had a 160-centimeter-long fish in its gut, indicating it was a specialized yet opportunistic predator.

Prognathodon had a sturdy, heavy jaw capable of withstanding high bite forces from powerful jaw muscles. Its teeth deserve special attention, as they were both strong and adapted for crushing, featuring serrations visible upon close inspection. This dual adaptation allowed them to break prey shells and shear flesh. Additionally, bony rings around its eye sockets suggest a deep-water adaptation, helping withstand pressure during dives for ammonites.

The reason for its dietary shift remains uncertain, especially since mosasaurs are generally seen as apex predators of reptiles and fish. It’s possible that competition for top predatory status pushed Prognathodon to exploit alternative food sources to avoid direct rivalry. Another possibility is a decline in large prey populations, prompting a dietary change. Alternatively, it might have simply taken advantage of abundant food sources. Notably, this adaptation was not unique— the mosasaur Globidens also developed large, rounded teeth for crushing prey.

Please be aware of the nature of fossils:

Being buried under the ground for millions of years under tons of pressure tends to be rough. No fossil comes out of the ground whole and perfect. Most fossils have undergone some restoration, while others are altered by man simply to enhance their presentation in different ways. The workers in Morocco do a very professional job of unearthing and preserving these natural treasures; however, natural cracks are commonly visible on the surface. These are part of the natural beauty of the fossil and are not considered defects.