Great 2.95" Carcharodontosaurus Tooth

This knife-like 2.95" long, tooth of Carcharodontosaurus saharicus a massive theropod dinosaur that often gets compared to T-Rex (but was probably larger). This tooth is in better condition that most on the market. Most of the enamel is preserved as are the fine serrations on both edges.

There white areas near the base of the tooth is areas where the enamel is missing and the core of the tooth is seen. Most of the dinosaur teeth from the Kem Kem beds of Morocco have interiors composed of a phosphate based mineral which has a white coloration. There are two repaired cracks and some gap fills right in the middle of the tooth. The restored enamel in these gap fills probably represents about 5% of the tooth surface.

Carcharodontosaurus comprised a genus of dinosaurs that dominated the land during the mid-Cretaceous Period, between 100-93 million years ago. This genus currently includes two gigantic species, which were among the largest known predatory dinosaurs. They were immense as the genera Tyrannosaurus and Giganotosaurus, but not as colossal as Spinosaurus.

An artists reconstruction of Carcharodontosaurus. By Nobu Tamura

Along with the spinosaurids, carcharodontosaurids were the largest predators in the early and middle Cretaceous throughout Gondwana, with species also present in North America (Acrocanthosaurus), and Asia (Shaochilong). Various scientists submit length estimates for C. saharicus, ranging between 12 and 13 m (39-43.5 ft) and weight estimates between 6 and 15 metric tons.

Carcharodontosaurids were a scourge of the land as giant, shark-toothed terrors in a world of monsters. Though spinosaurids would have been a formidable enemy, they may have occupied a semi-aquatic niche, which reduced competition. Both giant hunters also shared their world with menacing, 30-foot ancient crocodiles that had a taste for dinosaur.

Past the Turonian (93.9-89.8 mya), Carcharodontosaurus might have been replaced by the smaller abelisaurids in Gondwana and by tyrannosaurids in North America and Asia. The disappearance of carcharodontosaurids, spinosaurids, and other fauna in Gondwana and across the world suggests a global replacement event. Despite the event, fossils discovered in Brazil, which appear to be carcharodontosaurids, indicate some survivors of this group until the latest stage of the Cretaceous.

About Dinosaur Teeth