11.2" Fossil Enchodus (Fanged Fish) Jaws - Morocco

This is an amazing 11.2" plate containing jaws from the extinct fish, Enchodus from Morocco. This plate contains bones from at least two individuals, as indicated by the presence of two lower dentate (tooth bearing lower jaw) sections including the fangs (incisors). These bones appear to be of two different sizes and facing opposite directions. It is equally possible for them to be from one individual as it is that they are from two different ones. In addition to the two lower jaws, there is the left side of both maxilla (upper jaw) and dentate, of one individual. This fossil has had cracks repaired on two teeth and the rock has been repaired to stabilize the fossil.

All bones are in excellent condition and clearly show anatomical features. They are in a soft, chalk-like rock and there are multiple repaired cracks in the piece. There is restoration/gap filling to a few of the bones along one of the points of repair.

Enchodus flourished during the Upper Cretaceous and was small to medium in size. One of the genus' most notable attributes are the large "fangs" at the front of the upper and lower jaws and on the palatine bones, leading to its misleading nickname "saber-toothed herring" among fossil hunters and paleoichthyologists. These fangs, along with a long sleek body and large eyes, suggest Enchodus was a predatory species.

Artist's reconstruction of Enchodus.  By Dmitry Bogdanov, Creative Commons License
Artist's reconstruction of Enchodus. By Dmitry Bogdanov, Creative Commons License


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DETAILS
SPECIES
Enchodus sp.
LOCATION
Laayoune Region, Morocco
SIZE
11.2 x 7.9"
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#107651
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