North Africa, Morocco, Late Cretaceous, ca. 80 to 70 million years ago. A remarkable skull of a mosasaur, an extinct prehistoric marine reptile. This impressive specimen highlights the teeth and powerful hinged jaws, including the pterygoid teeth located in the throat, which likely helped secure prey. This adaptation suggests mosasaurs were capable of swallowing massive pieces - or even entire animals- in one bite! These carnivorous lizards had streamlined bodies, flattened tails, and webbed feet, resembling flippered crocodiles. They inhabited shallow seas, preying on fish, sharks, and even other mosasaurs. Various mosasaur species swam across oceans and inland seaways, achieving a global distribution during the Late Cretaceous. Size: 17" L x 6.5" W (43.2 cm x 16.5 cm); 10" H (25.4 cm) on included custom stand; tooth: 0.6" L x 0.3" W (1.5 cm x 0.8 cm)

Provenance: private Berthoud, Colorado, USA collection

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#191462

    Condition:
  • Professionally prepared. Restoration with new material. Teeth have losses and chips, some are reattached and some might not be original to this skull.

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by Artemis Fine Arts
January 30, 2025 8:00 AM MST
686 S. Taylor Ave., #108
Louisville, CO, US 80027

Artemis Fine Arts

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