8.2" Fossil Oreodont (Merycoidodon) Skull with Puncture Wounds

Fossil Oreodont (Merycoidodon) Skull with Puncture Wounds #351487

This is a well preserved, 8.2" long skull of an oreodont (Merycoidodon culbertsoni) collected from the Oligocene-aged White River Formation in South Dakota. Relatively little restoration can be found on this gorgeous specimen which is impressive considering it has undergone some warping as a result of geologic forces. Though what's really incredible about this specimen is the large puncture hole located at the left supraorbital foramen, with another that can be found just superior to the right maxilla.

It is accompanied by a display stand to assist with presentation.

The majority of the teeth are natural, though many have some areas of repair and/or gap fill restoration. The upper and lower right canines have been completely restored along with all of the incisors. The anterior-most 1" of the nasal bones have been restored. Additional small spots of restoration can be found around the skull in the form of gap fill. Only about 2-3% of the specimen has been restored.

Artist's reconstruction of Merycoidodon. By Nobu Tamura (http://spinops.blogspot.com) Creative Commons License

Oreodonts are an extinct mammal most closely related to camels and pigs. They have no close relatives living today. They were herbivorous, with short faces and fang-like canine teeth. About the size of a sheep, they roamed the plains of North America in huge numbers during the Oligocene period.

SPECIES

Merycoidodon culbertsoni

AGE

Oligocene (30 - 35 Million Years)