UNDESCRIBED SPECIES PERFECT PTEROSAUR TOOTH - Tegana Formation - Kem Kem, Morocco

MIDDLE CRETACEOUS PERIOD:  96 million years ago

Pterosaur fossils were only recently attributed to a species in 1999 from the Mid-Cretaceous deposits of the southern border of Morocco.  To date, the only pterosaur species named from Morocco is Siroccopteryx moroccoensis.  This species is very large though, with an estimated wingspan of nearly 20 feet.  We observe other pterosaur teeth that are found in the same deposits that lack the characteristics and size of this named species.  It is likely that there are at least two other completely different and undescribed species still yet to be studied in this region.  Only jaw fragments and teeth have been discovered from Morocco and much has yet to be learned about this fascinating flying reptile from prehistory.

This tooth is one of only a few we have ever had and would have come from a smaller pterosaur than Siroccopteryx.  It is not a juvenile tooth because it possesses a completely different profile and form when a comparison is made.  This specimen is from a yet to be named pterosaur from North Africa and represents not only a rare opportunity in this regard, but it is absolutely perfect in every way.  The tip is perfectly intact, the enamel is thick and complete with no damage and a portion of the root is even still attached!  The entire tooth is unbroken with no repair and no restoration.  There is no way you can improve on this superb and rare example.  Enamel hue is a mix of light peach and salmon red tones with fine natural gloss still present.

The Pterosaur was a flying reptile (commonly referred to as Pterodactyl "wing finger") of the order Pterosauria.  They existed from the late Triassic to the Cretaceous Periods (228 - 65 million years ago) with the earlier Triassic species having long, fully toothed jaws and long tails.  The later forms had a stump for a tail, no teeth and a jaw more like a beak than the elongated jaw of the earlier species. 

At least 60 genera of pterosaurs have been found with sizes ranging from a sparrow to monsters with wingspans in excess of 40 feet!  The wings were thin membranes of skin, similar to the wings of bats, and extended along the sides of the body.  

They were attached to the extraordinarily long fourth finger of each arm.  The bones were hollow and had openings at each end.    Unlike typical reptiles, pterosaurs had a breastbone that was developed for the attachment of flight muscles and a brain that was more developed than comparable dinosaurs of similar sizes.  There is no fossil evidence of feathers.  Most researchers now believe that pterosaurs were adapted for active flight, not just gliding as was earlier believed.

UNBELIEVABLY PERFECT CONDITION WITH THE FINEST THICK AND INTACT ENAMEL WE HAVE EVER SEEN!

IMPOSSIBLE TO UPGRADE THIS RARE SPECIMEN!!!

.75" long along the curve

SOLD     DT4-006     INCLUDES DISPLAY BOX     Actual Item - One Only

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