1.92" Phytosaur (Redondasaurus) Tooth - New Mexico

This is an unusual Triassic reptile fossil. It is a large tooth from Redondasaurus sp, one of the largest phytosaurs. It was collected from the Bull Canyon Formation in Quay County, New Mexico. There is some feeding wear to the tip, and most of the serrations are still visible along the edge.

One interesting aspect of this tooth is it is a "Digested Tooth". The enamel on it has been acid etched, so it was likely swallowed when it broke off during feeding and passed through the digestive track of the animal.

Phytosaurs looked similar to modern day crocodiles with some minor differences. The main one being that their nostrils were up high on the head instead of at the very front of the snout. They grew up to 16 feet in length and were certainly one of the dominant predators at the time.