LARGE DROMAEOSAUR " RAPTOR " KILLING CLAW -  Tegana Formation - Kem Kem, Morocco

LATE CRETACEOUS PERIOD:  96 - 66 million years ago

Without a doubt, a raptor claw is the most sought-after fossil amongst all dinosaur fossil collectors regardless of how advanced they are.  Not only is this just any raptor claw but it is THE killing claw of the foot, the rarest of all!  A raptor killing claw is the "holy grail" of fossils and years can go by before one ever becomes available on the market.  

At first glance, we thought this was from a larger type dinosaur than a raptor based on its enormous dimensions.  Upon close inspection, we could definitely see that not only was this a raptor killing claw but it is the largest specimen we have ever seen come from the Northern Sahara Cretaceous deposits.  It is 50% larger than the largest we have found!  This killing claw exhibits a wonderful dark red patina caused by the typical soils and minerals of the Kem Kem.  Despite portions of the posterior of this giant example having been filled with sediment and mineralized, much of the anterior and tip are 100% genuine and present exhibiting excellent detail.  The entire claw is dense and solid and has been stabilized to protect it from damage or deterioration.  This rare raptor killing claw is a huge example with features similar to one of the best preserved killing claws we have ever had, DC5 which sold within hours of being posted on this site.  On some very rare occasions, we have found teeth from a raptor this size but this is the first time we have actually found (or even heard of being discovered) the killing claw that would be from the same large size raptor.  We estimate that the dinosaur would have been larger than the famous Velociraptor by as much as 50%!  As the  largest raptor killing claw you will probably find from the Kem Kem, this is one of our most highly recommended fossil specimens we could offer.  Don't miss it!

The "killing claw" of raptors was a terrifying and incredibly efficient weapon.  As they moved, it was held off the ground.  When the muscles of the toe were contracted, the claw swept down quickly, providing for a powerful slash that may have been able to disembowel prey swiftly.  The stiffened tail would have been good to stabilize the body while the grasping arms and jaws held onto the prey for balance.  Although there is no conclusive evidence for this, it has been suggested that raptors could have performed leaps onto large prey and used all four limbs to rip wounds in them.  Raptors were ferocious predators that some scientists believe hunted in packs and attacked much larger dinosaurs by slashing their underbellies.  It is also believed that they were similar to lions in predatory behavior, preferring ambushes and quick chases using their high maneuverability along with strategic pack-hunting tactics.  A human could be torn to shreds by a pack of raptors in less than 30 seconds.  

This specimen is a must for anyone that has ever wanted one of these prizes of prehistoric predators.  The source where this was found is now almost completely devoid of quality fossils of any type dinosaur.  Claws were always rare even 10 years ago.  At the source, a fossil claw like this is now unheard of and an entire year of many diggers' efforts usually does not yield a single specimen.  

LARGEST SPECIMEN WE HAVE EVER HAD OR SEEN - TRUE PRIZE CLAW AND R-A-R-E!

3" long

SOLD     DC11     INCLUDES DISPLAY BOX     Actual Item - One Only

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1995