5.4" Triceratops Phalange (Toe Bone) With Pathology - Montana

This is an interesting 5.4" wide phalange (toe) with pathology, from Montana. It is of one of the most iconic dinosaurs of all-time, Triceratops horridus. This unusual bone is in excellent condition and is likely from a left foot. This specimen shows evidence of a pathology. There are depressions at the proximal end ventral side. It is likely that this animal had a bone infection and lived the rest of its life with an altered gait.

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.
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Triceratops horridus
LOCATION
Montana
SIZE
5.4" long
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#113129
GUARANTEE
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