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16" Rare Fossil Gar Fish (Atractosteus) - Wyoming
Gars are one of the largest and rarest fish found in the Green River Formation. Atractosteus simplex, sometimes called the "simplex gar", was a fierce predator, having a medium-length snout and jaws full of sharply pointed teeth. They also had 12 tail-fin rays and smooth sided scales which are beautifully preserved in this specimen. This gorgeous specimen measures 16" in length, with the largest known fossil of the species being about 28" long.
It was found in cross-section in two pieces and has been inlaid into the rock for display purposes. There is only a small amount of restoration on this specimen along the repaired crack and at the top of the tail fin. The rock has been backed with wood for stability and the piece is ready to be hung on a wall.
It was found in cross-section in two pieces and has been inlaid into the rock for display purposes. There is only a small amount of restoration on this specimen along the repaired crack and at the top of the tail fin. The rock has been backed with wood for stability and the piece is ready to be hung on a wall.
About Fossil Lake
50 million years ago, in the Eocene epoch, these fish thrived in Fossil Lake, which was fed by the Uinta and Rocky Mountain highlands. The anoxic conditions at the bottom of Fossil Lake slowed bacterial decomposition, prevented scavengers from disturbing corpses, and, most interestingly, suffocated creatures that ventured into the oxygen-starved aquatic layer. The result is a miraculous exhibition of Eocene biota: a subtropical aquatic community within sycamore forests, teeming with creatures such as freshwater stingrays, dog-sized horses, menacing alligators, early flying bats, and one of the first primates.
A view of one of the commercial quarries where fossils from the Green River Formation are collected.
50 million years ago, in the Eocene epoch, these fish thrived in Fossil Lake, which was fed by the Uinta and Rocky Mountain highlands. The anoxic conditions at the bottom of Fossil Lake slowed bacterial decomposition, prevented scavengers from disturbing corpses, and, most interestingly, suffocated creatures that ventured into the oxygen-starved aquatic layer. The result is a miraculous exhibition of Eocene biota: a subtropical aquatic community within sycamore forests, teeming with creatures such as freshwater stingrays, dog-sized horses, menacing alligators, early flying bats, and one of the first primates.
A view of one of the commercial quarries where fossils from the Green River Formation are collected.
$11,500
SPECIES
Atractosteus simplex
LOCATION
Fossil Lake Safari Quarry, Kemmerer, Wyoming
FORMATION
Green River Formation
SIZE
Fish: 16" long Shale: 31 x 16.5”
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#314554
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