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19.5" Mosasaur Jaws (Platecarpus) - Exceptional Preparation
This is an very interesting and exceptionally well prepared specimen from the Late Cretaceous phosphate deposits of Morocco. It is a disarticulate jaw of a Mosasaur (Platecarpus ptychodon) with 15 original teeth present, 2 of which are only partially erupted. Nearly all Mosasaur jaws are found with similar crushing, but instead of removing all the bones from the pieces from the rock and reassembling them, they were left in place. It's also unique in that there is no restoration or compositing on this specimen, just a few crack repairs. A huge amount on preparation time was put into this specimen to remove the rock from not just in front of, but behind the teeth bringing them out in high relief.
The entire piece measures 19.5" wide, 14" tall and is up to 5.5" thick. About 60% of the sandstone has been backed with plaster for stability and it comes with a metal display stand. The portion of the sandstone that hasn't been backed with plaster has been stabilized with epoxy.
The entire piece measures 19.5" wide, 14" tall and is up to 5.5" thick. About 60% of the sandstone has been backed with plaster for stability and it comes with a metal display stand. The portion of the sandstone that hasn't been backed with plaster has been stabilized with epoxy.
About Mosasaurs
Mosasaurs were large, carnivorous marine reptiles that lived during the Late Cretaceous Period, approximately 90 to 66 million years ago. Though often mistaken for dinosaurs, they were actually more closely related to modern monitor lizards, including the Komodo dragon. Over time, their ancestors transitioned from land to sea, evolving paddle-like flippers, streamlined bodies, and powerful tails that made them highly efficient swimmers. Some species developed crescent-shaped, shark-like tail fins that allowed for strong, sustained propulsion through open water. Sizes varied widely, with many species measuring 20 to 30 feet long, while the largest—such as Mosasaurus hoffmannii—may have exceeded 50 feet in length.
As apex predators, mosasaurs occupied the top of the marine food chain. Their long jaws were lined with sharp, conical teeth ideal for gripping slippery prey, and fossil evidence shows they fed on fish, sharks, ammonites, seabirds, and even other mosasaurs. Despite their fully aquatic lifestyle, mosasaurs were air-breathing reptiles and had to surface regularly, much like modern whales. They thrived in oceans around the world until the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event 66 million years ago, which wiped out the dinosaurs and many marine reptiles, bringing the age of mosasaurs to an end.
Mosasaurs were large, carnivorous marine reptiles that lived during the Late Cretaceous Period, approximately 90 to 66 million years ago. Though often mistaken for dinosaurs, they were actually more closely related to modern monitor lizards, including the Komodo dragon. Over time, their ancestors transitioned from land to sea, evolving paddle-like flippers, streamlined bodies, and powerful tails that made them highly efficient swimmers. Some species developed crescent-shaped, shark-like tail fins that allowed for strong, sustained propulsion through open water. Sizes varied widely, with many species measuring 20 to 30 feet long, while the largest—such as Mosasaurus hoffmannii—may have exceeded 50 feet in length.
As apex predators, mosasaurs occupied the top of the marine food chain. Their long jaws were lined with sharp, conical teeth ideal for gripping slippery prey, and fossil evidence shows they fed on fish, sharks, ammonites, seabirds, and even other mosasaurs. Despite their fully aquatic lifestyle, mosasaurs were air-breathing reptiles and had to surface regularly, much like modern whales. They thrived in oceans around the world until the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event 66 million years ago, which wiped out the dinosaurs and many marine reptiles, bringing the age of mosasaurs to an end.
SPECIES
Platecarpus ptychodon
LOCATION
Oulad Abdoun Basin, Morocco
FORMATION
Phosphate Deposits
SIZE
Entire specimen 19.5 x 14", up to 5.5" thick
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#110020
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