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RARE
PARONYCHODON DROMAEOSAURID TOOTH FROM HELL CREEK
Hell
Creek Formation - Southeast Montana, U.S.A.
LATE
CRETACEOUS PERIOD: 70 - 65 million years ago This
is a genuine fossil dinosaur tooth from a dromaeosaurid dinosaur that is
elusive to science and little is known about. It was named by Cope
in 1876 from teeth found in the Judith River formation. The
species has been assigned as Paronychodon. Only teeth have
been found to date and other remains are unknown to scientists.
These teeth are highly unique with their distinct longitudinal ridges
and fine serrations. This specimen was legally collected on private
ranchland from the famous Hell Creek Formation in the United States of
America. This region is famously known as the 'Valley of the T.
rex' and was the chief territory of the massive T. rex dinosaurs when
they were alive. No doubt, these dinosaurs would have lived alongside the T. rex
as they both coexisted in the Hell Creek Formation during the Late
Cretaceous. This
tooth is a GRADE 10 example and cannot be improved. It is intact with NO
REPAIR AND NO RESTORATION.
Color is natural and the classic dark brown hue that many fossil
dinosaur teeth from Hell Creek possess. Tip is complete (featuring
slight natural feeding wear!) and all features are present and crisp. Enamel is well-preserved and
exhibits natural gloss which is original and exactly as found!
Dromaeosaur
dinosaurs were
extremely fast and most likely a very
smart and ferocious predator. The sickle-shaped claws on each foot
as well as the hand claws were very thin and dramatically curved.
Dromaeosaur 'raptor" bones were hollow, creating a very strong but lightweight frame for speed in
running. To many other creatures living in the midst of
"raptor" dinosaurs, these were swift and deadly meat-eaters to
avoid!
Dromaeosaurs
are popularly
known (especially in the movie "Jurassic Park") as
"raptors", a group of fascinating extinct creatures.
Raptors ranged in size from the size of a small dog on up to 30
feet long! They are therapods that possessed specialized features:
a well-developed slashing talon on their second toe, a stiffened tail,
and large grasping hands.
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. 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.
Dromaeosaur
remains have been found in North America, Europe, North Africa, Japan,
Mongolia and Argentina.
INTACT
AND FINEST GRADE TOOTH FROM THIS ELUSIVE AND LITTLE KNOWN SPECIES - VERY
RARE!
.4"
long along the leading curve
SOLD
DT6-023
INCLUDES DISPLAY BOX
Actual Item - One
Only
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