1" Fossil Raptor Pathological Phalange (Toe) - Texas

Fossil Raptor Pathological Phalange (Toe) - Texas #116727

This is a very interesting 1.0" fossil phalange (toe/finger) of an unidentified theropod (raptor) from the Aguja Formation, Brewster County Texas. It is likely the second or third phalange. Unlike most phalanges this one only has the tendon attachment on one side and is abnormally shaped. Most of the bone is covered with callous bone tissue. It is possible that this individual had a deformed appendage from birth or they could have suffered a disease or injury later in life.

There are a number of theropods from this formation and identifying a genus or species from a single hand or foot bone is very difficult.

This specimen was collected within the past year on private deeded property in Brewster County, Texas. You won't see any other dinosaur material from the Aguja and Javelina Formations for sale because nearly all of the formations lie within the boundaries of Big Bend National Park, where fossils may not be collected, or in Mexico, where fossils cannot be commercially traded. One of our partners was lucky enough to purchase several hundred acres of ranch land in Texas containing a good exposure of these formations, and we will be offering more material from the locality in the future.

What Is A Raptor (Dinosaur)?