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11.1" Triceratops Caudal Vertebra on Metal Stand - Wyoming
This is an exceptionally preserved caudal (tail) vertebra of Triceratops horridus, collected from the Late Cretaceous Lance (Creek) Formation of Wyoming. The vertebra is in remarkable condition, retaining its delicate transverse processes, neural spine, prezygapophyses, postzygapophyses, and an intact, sediment-filled neural canal. The preservation of these anatomical features is particularly impressive, as these relatively fragile structures are frequently damaged or lost during fossilization, weathering, and excavation. A custom metal display stand with a rotating mount is included, allowing the vertebra to be presented vertically and easily appreciated from multiple angles. This exceptional specimen offers a striking, museum-quality display of the skeletal anatomy of one of the most iconic dinosaurs of the Late Cretaceous.
This vertebra measures 10.9" tall by 11.1" wide, with a 3.9" thick centrum. On the stand, the entire specimen stands 15" tall.
Restoration makes up approximately 7% of this specimen and is primarily found in the form of gap fill. The thick spinous process has several repaired cracks, with the largest gap-filled crack located at the base just superior to the prezygapophyses. Both prezygapophyses have undergone crack repair with minor gap fill restoration, while the right transverse process is about 30% restored. The centrum also has repaired cracks, some of which required gap fill.
This vertebra measures 10.9" tall by 11.1" wide, with a 3.9" thick centrum. On the stand, the entire specimen stands 15" tall.
Restoration makes up approximately 7% of this specimen and is primarily found in the form of gap fill. The thick spinous process has several repaired cracks, with the largest gap-filled crack located at the base just superior to the prezygapophyses. Both prezygapophyses have undergone crack repair with minor gap fill restoration, while the right transverse process is about 30% restored. The centrum also has repaired cracks, some of which required gap fill.
About Triceratops
Triceratops was one of the most iconic North American dinosaurs, living during the Late Cretaceous around 68–66 million years ago. With its enormous frilled skull and three horns, it was an impressive sight and may have used its headgear for display as much as for defense against predators like Tyrannosaurus rex. Adults could grow up to 9 meters (29.5 feet) long, stand about 3 meters (9.8 feet) tall, and weigh as much as 26,000 pounds. Its sturdy build and powerful horns made it a formidable herbivore capable of standing its ground against large predators.
Triceratops had highly specialized teeth arranged in groups called dental batteries, with dozens of tooth columns lining each side of its jaws. Each column contained several stacked teeth that were constantly replaced, giving it hundreds of teeth over its lifetime. This unique system allowed Triceratops to efficiently chew tough, fibrous plants such as ferns, cycads, and palms. Triceratops was designated as the state fossil of South Dakota in 1988.
Triceratops was one of the most iconic North American dinosaurs, living during the Late Cretaceous around 68–66 million years ago. With its enormous frilled skull and three horns, it was an impressive sight and may have used its headgear for display as much as for defense against predators like Tyrannosaurus rex. Adults could grow up to 9 meters (29.5 feet) long, stand about 3 meters (9.8 feet) tall, and weigh as much as 26,000 pounds. Its sturdy build and powerful horns made it a formidable herbivore capable of standing its ground against large predators.
Triceratops had highly specialized teeth arranged in groups called dental batteries, with dozens of tooth columns lining each side of its jaws. Each column contained several stacked teeth that were constantly replaced, giving it hundreds of teeth over its lifetime. This unique system allowed Triceratops to efficiently chew tough, fibrous plants such as ferns, cycads, and palms. Triceratops was designated as the state fossil of South Dakota in 1988.
About The Lance Formation
The Lance Formation of eastern Wyoming is a Late Cretaceous (69–66 million years old) unit that represents the same geologic age as the famous Hell Creek Formation of Montana and the Dakotas. Although they are time-equivalent, the Lance and Hell Creek preserve subtly different environments. Hell Creek reflects a humid, forested coastal plain punctuated by volcanic ash deposits, while the Lance records a slightly drier, more open floodplain landscape with broader river systems and fewer ash layers. Together, they provide a complementary view of life in the final chapter of the dinosaur era.
Perhaps the most famous Lance resident would be Tyrannosaurus rex, the largest North American carnivore to ever live. However, other smaller theropods also roamed the American midwest in this subtropical coastal stream system, including the beaked Ornithomimus, a lanky running theropod with a build similar to a modern ostrich, as well as several small predatory troodonts such as Paronychodon and Pectinodon.
Herbivorous dinosaurs also took advantage of the abundance offered by this unique era. Armored ankylosaurs dwelt in herds, their safety assured by their numbers, their heavy bone plating protecting most of their bodies and even their eyelids, and huge bone clubs on the ends of their tails providing them with powerful offensive capabilities. Ceratopsians like the famous Triceratops also formed protective herds, guarding their necks with frills and horns. Their smaller relatives, the dome-headed pachycephalosaurs, were also well represented in the area. Hadrosaurs, duck-billed titans with huge batteries of plant-grinding teeth in elongated snouts, are also well known from the region.
In addition to dinosaurs, a wide variety of fishes, amphibians, lizards, snakes, turtles, champsosaurs, crocodilians, and pterosaurs have been found in the formation.
The Lance Formation of eastern Wyoming is a Late Cretaceous (69–66 million years old) unit that represents the same geologic age as the famous Hell Creek Formation of Montana and the Dakotas. Although they are time-equivalent, the Lance and Hell Creek preserve subtly different environments. Hell Creek reflects a humid, forested coastal plain punctuated by volcanic ash deposits, while the Lance records a slightly drier, more open floodplain landscape with broader river systems and fewer ash layers. Together, they provide a complementary view of life in the final chapter of the dinosaur era.
Perhaps the most famous Lance resident would be Tyrannosaurus rex, the largest North American carnivore to ever live. However, other smaller theropods also roamed the American midwest in this subtropical coastal stream system, including the beaked Ornithomimus, a lanky running theropod with a build similar to a modern ostrich, as well as several small predatory troodonts such as Paronychodon and Pectinodon.
Herbivorous dinosaurs also took advantage of the abundance offered by this unique era. Armored ankylosaurs dwelt in herds, their safety assured by their numbers, their heavy bone plating protecting most of their bodies and even their eyelids, and huge bone clubs on the ends of their tails providing them with powerful offensive capabilities. Ceratopsians like the famous Triceratops also formed protective herds, guarding their necks with frills and horns. Their smaller relatives, the dome-headed pachycephalosaurs, were also well represented in the area. Hadrosaurs, duck-billed titans with huge batteries of plant-grinding teeth in elongated snouts, are also well known from the region.
In addition to dinosaurs, a wide variety of fishes, amphibians, lizards, snakes, turtles, champsosaurs, crocodilians, and pterosaurs have been found in the formation.
SPECIES
Triceratops horridus
LOCATION
Wyoming
FORMATION
Lance (Creek) Formation
SIZE
11.1 x 10.9", 15" tall on stand
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#382490
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