{"product_id":"xl-3-9-mosasaur-prognathodon-fossil-tooth-rooted-cretaceous-dinosaur-era-coa-06all145","title":"XL 3.9\" Mosasaur Prognathodon Fossil Tooth Rooted Cretaceous Dinosaur Era COA","description":"\u003cp\u003eLocation: Oued Zem, Morocco\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeight: 2.5 Ounces\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDimensions: 3.9 Inches Long, 1.6 Inches Wide, 1 Inch Thick \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #b45f06;\"\u003eComes with a Certificate of Authenticity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #b45f06;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"font-size: 0.875rem; color: rgb(106, 168, 79);\"\u003eThe item pictured is the one you will receive\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #b45f06;\"\u003e. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e100-66 Million Years old, Upper Cretaceous, Maastrichtian Epoch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #f1c232;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eName:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Prognathodon (Forejaw tooth).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #f1c232;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNamed By:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Dollo - 1889.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #f1c232;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Carnivore.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #f1c232;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Depending upon the species, Prognathodon could range between 6 and possibly just under 14 meters in length.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKnown locations: Fossil locations suggest a worldwide distribution, but are especially well-known in Europe and North America.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTime period: Campanian to Maastrichtian of the Cretaceous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #b45f06;\"\u003ePrognathodon\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e was a late \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #b45f06;\"\u003eMosasaur\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;\"\u003ePrognathodon 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg height=\"336\" width=\"672\" alt='1.9\" Mosasaur Prognathodon Fossil Tooth Cretaceous Dinosaur Era COA \u0026amp; Stand - Fossil Age Minerals' src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1250\/0441\/files\/mosasaurprognathodon_edited_550x550_b908900b-33fb-4d31-8198-e24c02c87c62.webp?v=1743109124\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WRQ-RSNImIM\" title=\"YouTube video player\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"color: #bf9000;\"\u003ePlease be aware of the nature of fossils:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeing buried under ground for millions of years under pressure is tough. No fossil emerges perfect; most need restoration or are altered by humans to improve appearance. Moroccan workers do a professional job unearthing and preserving these treasures, but surface cracks, part of natural beauty, are common and not defects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr id=\"horizontalrule\"\u003e","brand":"SAID 26","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51944066973976,"sku":"06ALL145","price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1250\/0441\/files\/5U8A4731_7fd278fa-9866-4d8f-9e21-65f25044a852.jpg?v=1775953676","url":"https:\/\/www.fossilageminerals.com\/products\/xl-3-9-mosasaur-prognathodon-fossil-tooth-rooted-cretaceous-dinosaur-era-coa-06all145","provider":"Fossil Age Minerals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}