1.8" Fossil Mosasaur (Hainosaurus) Tooth - Morocco

Hainosaurus is one of the largest known mosasaurs, from the late Cretaceous period of the Mesozoic era. Mosasaurs were aquatic carnivorous reptiles related to modern monitor lizards and snakes. There are several species of Hainosaurus, including Hainosaurus boubker sp. nov., found mainly in present day Morocco. Adults of Hainosaurus could grow as large as 26 to 39 feet (8-12 meters) in length. Hainosaurus boubker represents an advanced group of tylosaurines with a blade-like dental structure, exhibiting a morphology well-adapted for cutting apart large prey.

A detailed publication on the tylosaurine mosasaur, Hainosaurus boubker sp. nov., can be found at the link below.

www.researchgate.net/publication

It comes from the massive phosphate deposits in the Oulad Abdoun Basin near Khouribga, Morocco. These deposits are mined for phosphate, one of Morocco's biggest exports. The fossils are collected as a byproduct of the mining operations, saving them from certain destruction by the rock crusher.