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HEMIAUCHENIA
(PREHISTORIC LLAMA) MOLAR -
Aucilla River - North
Florida, U.S.A.
LATE
MIOCENE to LATE PLEISTOCENE PERIOD: 9 million - 10,000 years ago
From the depths of the
famous Aucilla River comes
the finest fossil molar specimen from a prehistoric
llama that once thrived in Florida, Hemiauchenia. This is
an upper jaw
molar.
This fossil molar
is not
only an exceptionally large
example but it features the finest possible preservation. The specimen is exactly as
found and still has river deposits on areas of its choice enamel.
All enamel is present and is a very unique color ranging from dark blue to
baby blue! Completely intact with a well-preserved chewing
surface. Not only is this a rare and
unique North American land mammal specimen, it is wonderfully aesthetic.
NO REPAIR and NO RESTORATION.
The Hemiauchenia species
in Florida consisted of several types of llamas. Dating back to the
Miocene Period 9 million years ago, some of these species were as tall as
a modern camel with other species being about the size of a modern
llama. All were of a lighter build than modern comparisons.
Hemiauchenia teeth are of a hypsodont design, meaning the crown is
very tall and in many cases, exceeds the height of the roots. The
cheek teeth of Hemiauchenia are very angular with sharp, dramatic
crescents. The Hemiauchenia along with all other members of the
Camelidae family survived in Florida all the way to the end of the
Pleistocene. Today, they are survived only by species living in the
high plains of South America and in parts of Paraguay.
Florida's history of
terrestrial vertebrates is extremely important to our fossil record.
Without the knowledge gained from these fossils, the history of Cenozoic
terrestrial life on the North American continent would be very incomplete.
VERY
LARGE AND IN STUNNING CONDITION - A RARE PRIZE WITH FINEST ENAMEL / CROWN
DETAIL!
1.75" in length
overall
$75
LM46-004
INCLUDES DISPLAY BOX Actual
Item - One Only
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