LARGE DROMAEOSAUR " RAPTOR " HAND 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.  In today's market, locating a quality (and correctly identified!) raptor claw is next to impossible.  A raptor claw is the "holy grail" of fossils and years can go by before a choice specimen ever becomes available on the market.  This claw is one of those types.  As a matter of fact, it is the first time we have ever had such a perfect and impressive size raptor HAND claw!  If you currently own a fine quality toe claw, this would be the perfect compliment to such a rare specimen.  If you have missed out on some of the beautiful large toe claws we have had in the past, don't miss this rare chance to acquire one of the finest raptor hand claws we have ever encountered!  This claw represents the final specimen we have to offer from a culmination of all of last year's collecting efforts.  It is very highly unlikely we will offer any one like this for quite some time if ever again but it will not be until the end of this year before ANY more raptor claws will be added from this creature so what is currently listed with the addition of this specimen is all we will be able to offer for quite some time.

This claw exhibits some of the best preservation you could ever hope for in such a specimen.  Color is white, untainted from the sediments.  The 'blood groove" is distinct running down both sides of the claw and retains excellent preservation.  There is absolutely no fabrication on this specimen and only one very fine fracture existed that was sealed and the entire claw stabilized to preserve its remarkable condition.  This would have been the primary slashing hand claw on the main digit of the raptors forelimb from a raptor as large as the infamous Velociraptor of China!  Based on its size and robust nature, this claw would have been able to sustain a high degree of force placed upon it as it punctured and then ripped its prey.  Quite rare for this type, the tip is original and complete with no repair.  The proximal portion of the claw, where it attached to the first finger bone, is complete and solid with ALL portions of this area present and original - very rare!  This top-grade example was not pieced together from fragments and filled where parts were missing.  It represents one of the finest raptor claws we have seen and is THE LARGEST AND FINEST of raptor hand claws we have ever offered!  

WARNING:  We are seeing more and more claws coming out of Morocco that have been expertly reconstructed and restored IN Morocco.  The workmanship is equal to U.S. skill levels and this is being done to fully exploit gaining the highest possible price at the source by the brokers of the diggers who find the claws and fossils.  These expertly repaired and restored claws can fool all but the most trained eye and anyone that does not actually have extensive experience in fossil restoration, repair and preparation will likely not be able to tell the difference.  These claws are being sold at shows and on the internet as having "NO REPAIR and/or NO RESTORATION" which is simply untrue but the ignorance of the seller is just repeating what the Moroccan dealer told him without their own ability to discern if any work was truly performed on the claw. 

EXTRAORDINARILY LARGE CLAWS HAVE BEEN COMING IN QUANTITY RECENTLY FROM MOROCCO.  DESPITE THEIR HEFTY PRICE TAGS, SEVERAL WE HAVE EXAMINED WERE TOTAL FAKES!  We have also heard this from one highly experienced fossil restoration expert who has been sent claws from unsuspecting buyers hoping to have their purchase improved with further preparation.  After years of very few quality large claws being found and offered from the Sahara, suddenly monstrous "raptor claws" are emerging from dealers in Moroccan fossils as of recent times.  That should be a red-flag alone.  The workmanship of these claws is higher than seen in the past so be HIGHLY SUSPECT when purchasing such specimens.  To have one of these large Moroccan claws examined in person by a third party of YOUR CHOOSING is your only insurance.

This migration of highly skilled restoration work being done now at the source country of fossils is actually becoming more the norm with many varieties of fossils on the market.  It is IMPERATIVE to ONLY deal with a very knowledgeable dealer who has considerable and first-hand personal experience with all facets of fossil fabrication, restoration and repair in order to avoid becoming a victim of the ignorance and fraud that unfortunately plagues this business. 

Most dinosaur claws of any species command the highest prices and are the most demanded dinosaur fossils.  The majority are mostly pieced back together from fragments and require CONSIDERABLE restoration.  Raptor claws are unquestionably, the most asked for fossil claw.  In examining this superb example, one can immediately recognize its value and rarity!

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 claws.  Today, a fossil claw like this is now seldom discovered of and an entire year of many diggers' efforts usually does not yield a single specimen. 

RAREST AND HIGHEST DEMAND INVESTMENT FOSSIL

LARGEST, MOST ROBUST AND FINEST WE HAVE EVER HAD!

1.7" long along the dorsal curve

SOLD     DC16     INCLUDES DISPLAY BOX     Actual Item - One Only

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