1.9" Fossil Mosasaur (Clidastes) Vertebra - Kansas

This is a 1.9" wide, vertebra from a Mosasaur (Clidastes sp.) of the Late Cretaceous, Smoky Hill Chalk, Gove County, Kansas. The bone preservation on this specimen is very nice.

Clidastes is an extinct aquatic lizard belonging to the mosasaur family. Clidastes was one of the smaller types of mosasaurs. Although some species were larger, the average length of this genus is only a few meters, or about 10 feet in length. This mosasaur was also slimmer than the others with a narrower ribcage, giving it a more sleek or eel-like look. It was probably very agile and able to chase down smaller prey.

Mosasaur size comparison
Mosasaur size comparison

The Smoky Hill Chalk Member of the Niobrara Chalk formation is a Cretaceous conservation Lagerstätte, or fossil-rich geological formation, known primarily for its exceptionally well-preserved marine reptiles. It outcrops in parts of northwest Kansas--its most famous localities for fossils--and in southeastern Nebraska. Large, well-known fossils excavated from the Smoky Hill Chalk include marine reptiles such as plesiosaurs, large bony fish such as Xiphactinus, mosasaurs, pterosaurs, and turtles.
SOLD
DETAILS
SPECIES
Clidastes sp.
LOCATION
Gove County, Kansas
FORMATION
Niobrara Formation
SIZE
1.9" wide
ITEM
#197957
GUARANTEE
We guarantee the authenticity of all of our
specimens. Read more about our
Authenticity Guarantee.