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GRADE 10 ULTRA RARE
DIMETRODON CANINE FANG TOOTH
Wellington Formation -
Oklahoma, U.S.A.
PERMIAN PERIOD: 280 -
265 million years ago
Collected
from the
Wellington Formation of Oklahoma, U.S.A. several decades ago,
this is THE
ONLY fang tooth we have to offer from this famous apex predator of the
Permian, the magnificent DIMETRODON. Residing in a very old
private collection of the original fossil hunter, we acquired a very
small select lot of Dimetrodon teeth but this was the only FANG TOOTH,
the others being the short, meat-shearing teeth. ANY teeth or
other fossils from Dimetrodon are rare in private fossil collections.
With no future knowledge of acquiring any more, it is most highly
recommended to take advantage of this rare acquisition and add one of
these rare teeth to your collection.
This
tooth is simply impossible to upgrade. It is complete and
undamaged with the finest intact enamel and needle-sharp tip.
Again, this is THE ONLY FANG TOOTH we have to offer with no other
knowledge of us acquiring any more Dimetrodon teeth. Rare and
highly recommended for a well-diversified prehistoric vertebrate
collection of apex predator fossils!
NO REPAIR OR RESTORATION.
Dimetrodon was
the terror of the Permian!
As
one of the most classic pop-culture mascots of the dinosaur days,
DIMETRODON is neither a dinosaur nor did Dimetrodon live during the
dinosaurs. Dimetrodon is a pelycosaur (a primitive 4-legged
synapsid, or "mammal-like reptile") that went extinct long before the
first dinosaurs walked the planet. With its tell-tale large
sail-finned back, there is no mistaking this well-known monster of
prehistory.
The name 'Dimetrodon' is
derived from the fact that it had two forms of teeth in its jaws,
unusual for reptile-like creatures of its time. There were short
teeth at the front and back of the jaws for shearing and chewing as well
as long, canine-like fangs just behind the front shorter teeth, for
stabbing and holding prey.
Dimetrodon was the
largest and most dangerous apex predator on land of its day. At
the top of its food chain, Dimetrodon ate whatever it wanted including
other smaller pelycosaurs such as Edaphosaurus, as well as miscellaneous
reptiles. It grew to 11.5 feet in length. Weight estimates
vary but an adult likely weighed around 200 pounds. It walked on
four legs that were spread wide out from its body. Because of
this, Dimetrodon would have walked with a wide sweeping gait, head
swinging back and forth like modern day Komodo dragons to which it is
sometimes compared to.
The most famous
anatomical feature of Dimetrodon is it huge sail protruding from the
entire length of its back. This sail was supported by neural spine
processes projecting upward from its vertebrae. A thin layer of
skin was stretched over this elaborate sail. The sail spines were
as high as one third the entire length of its body and approached 40
inches high. Wide speculation surrounds the purpose of this "sail"
on its back. Some theorize it was brightly decorated and displayed
for attracting a mate. Others believe the sail was an elaborate
means of regulating body temperature and aiding to warm the creature on
sunny but cooler than desired days. Still others speculate the
sail was used as a warning display to other competing Dimetrodons.
Based
on associated fossils of other flora and fauna found with Dimetrodon
fossils, we can accurately ascertain the kind of environment Dimetrodon
once lived in. The Permian habitat of Dimetrodon was an arid
landscape of scrub-like vegetation and often subjected to droughts.
Small winding streams and shallow pools would have been its only source
of water. Dimetrodon fossils have been found in North America
(namely Texas and Oklahoma) and Europe.
ULTRA RARE
- A GEM PERFECT GRASPING FANG TOOTH - THE ONLY FANG SPECIMEN WE HAVE TO
OFFER!
0.5" long
SOLD DT22-007 INCLUDES
DISPLAY BOX Actual
Item - One Only
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