Eocene-Aged Fossil Sea Snake (Palaeophis) Vertebrae - Morocco

These are 55 million year old fossil sea snake (Palaeophis maghrebianus) vertebrae from the phosphate deposits in the Oulad Abdoun Basin of Morocco. They average around 1/2" long, ranging from about .4" to .7", and their processes are mostly intact. The photos of representative of the vertebrae you will receive but don't picture the exact ones. Quantity discounts are available.

Palaeophis is an extinct genus of sea snake that lived during the Eocene epoch. One species of this genus, Palaeophis maghrebianus, has been described from fossils found in the phosphate deposits of Morocco. While some species of the genus could reach immense sizes (30-40 feet in length), Palaeophis maghrebianus was much smaller. A paper describing this genus can be found below.

New highlights about the enigmatic marine snake Palaeophis maghrebianus (Palaeophiidae; Palaeophiinae) from the Ypresian (Lower Eocene) phosphates of Morocco

It comes from the massive phosphate deposits in the Oulad Abdoun Basin near Khouribga, Morocco. These deposits are mined for phosphate, one of Morocco's biggest exports. The fossils are collected as a byproduct of the mining operations, saving them from certain destruction by the rock crusher.

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FOSSIL TYPE

Fossil Sea Snake Vertebra

SPECIES

Palaeophis maghrebianus

AGE

Lower Eocene - Ypresian stage (~55 Million Years)

LOCATION

Oulad Abdoun Basin, Morocco

SIZE