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LARGE
CHOICE GRADE
DROMAEOSAUR
" RAPTOR " TOOTH AND TOE BONE SET
Tegana
Formation - Kem Kem, Morocco
LATE
CRETACEOUS PERIOD: 96 - 66 million years ago
Many African dinosaurs are yet undiscovered and/or identified. Expeditions in the
recent years have yielded incredible new discoveries of many
species never known to exist including a yet-to-be-named dromaeosaur.
We have identified more than one type of Velociraptorine dromaeosaur or, raptor tooth in the Kem Kem that has led us to
believe there are several species, ranging from the size of a peacock up
to the size of Velociraptor, that have never been attributed based
on wide ranging characteristics of the teeth. This
spectacular fossil set includes larger than average examples of a dromaeosaur "raptor" dinosaur tooth
and toe bone. Both specimens are of the finest quality and
complete, looking fantastic displayed together. Get a high grade
claw to complete the look! Tooth is intact with well-defined
serrations and beautiful honey gold enamel. The toe bone is
immaculate and was encased in a sandstone concretion before we removed
it with acid. The concretion protected it to perfection and it is
one of the nicest dromaeosaur toe phalanges we have ever offered!
Both fossils are INTACT
WITH NO RESTORATION AND NO REPAIR.
The
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. 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.
Recent
discoveries in China have shown feathered species existed. This has
revolutionized paleontologists' view of what not only these creatures
could have looked like when alive, but of possible plumage on other
therapod dinosaurs. Dromaeosaurs share other characteristics with
birds and theories now place these vicious predators as being the earliest
ancestors of birds. Dromaeosaurs first evolved in the Early
Cretaceous and survived right up to the end of the Late Cretaceous
suggesting they were adaptable and capable hunters, surviving such a
prolonged period yet, remaining virtually unchanged in overall design.
FINEST
GRADE TOOTH AND TOE BONE - FASCINATING DISPLAY SET - GET A CLAW TO
COMPLETE!
.85"
tooth along the leading edge, toe bone 1.45" long
SOLD
DT6-034
INCLUDES DISPLAY BOX
Actual Item - One
Only
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