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EXTRAORDINARILY RARE AND LARGE INTACT CRETACEOUS PTERODACTYL CLAW FROM POSSIBLY A NEW UNDESCRIBED SPECIES Tegana Formation - Kem Kem Beds, 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. With an estimated wingspan of nearly 20 feet, this anhanguerid pterodactyl ranks amongst the largest pterosaurs known. There have been comparisons of this creature to other anhanguerid species known from the Early Cretaceous of Brazil. Only jaw fragments and teeth have been discovered from Morocco and much has yet to be learned about this fascinating and giant flying reptile from prehistory. Collected over a decade ago, to this day, we have yet to see another specimen like this. It is a huge and unusually long, gracile claw from an enormous pterosaur, most likely Siroccopteryx. It is possible that it comes from a new, large species not yet scientifically described. With only limited scientific work published regarding North African pterosaurs, it is hard to say with certainty if this is a hand or foot claw but it is most likely a primary hand claw based on its unusual elongated profile. Pterosaur teeth exceeding 3 inches in length have been documented from the same site and deposit as where this claw was found so it is probable it would have come from a pterosaur with a wing-span approaching a small aircraft. A claw of this size would have been fitting for such a enormous pterodactyl.
The state of preservation on this
specimen is impeccable. It is UNBROKEN and
100% AUTHENTIC AS FOUND.
There are still some
areas encrusted with silicified sand on the surface. Due to its
fragile and INTACT nature, we opted to refrain from a total cleaning of
this mineralization. The photos above show close-up anatomy and
features. Highly recommended for the advanced collection and
worthy of further study.
This rare claw is
GUARANTEE 100% ORIGINAL WITH NO
REPAIR AND NO RESTORATION OR FABRICATION.
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.
IN ALL OUR YEARS OF WORKING WITH THIS MATERIAL, WE HAVE NEVER SEEN A CLAW THIS LARGE AND OF THIS TYPE. THE PTEROSAUR THIS CLAW WOULD HAVE COME FROM WOULD HAVE BEEN ENORMOUS AND IS SUPPORTED BY THE PRESENCE OF TEETH THAT HAVE MEASURED OVER 3 INCHES FROM THE SAME DEPOSIT / SITE. LARGE SPECIMEN VIRTUALLY COMPLETE AND UNBROKEN 2" long along the curve x .25" high $6750 DCX004 INCLUDES DISPLAY BOX Actual Item - One Only |
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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. 
