LM48-002 - PLEISTOCENE FOSSIL LUTRA CANADENSIS OTTER JAW WITH COMPLETE MOLAR TOOTH

Product Description

ITEM # 

LM48-002

ID

Lutra canadensis

FOUND

Spring Deposit - North Central Florida, U.S.A.

AGE

PLEISTOCENE:  1.2 million - 10,000 years ago

SIZE

.65" long

CONDITION

SINGLE REPAIR BUT NO RESTORATION - 
ORIGINAL MOLAR STILL PRESENT.

NOTE

SCARCE MAMMAL FOSSIL OF NORTH AMERICA.

INCLUDES DISPLAY BOX - Actual Item - One Only

Comes with a certificate of authenticity / information sheet

From a Pleistocene spring deposit in Florida, this is a 100% PERFECT molar in its original jaw from the otter, Lutra canadensis.  Unlike typical river fossils, this specimen lacks any damage or river erosion and is in a magnificent state complete with white enamel from the crystal clear water.  The crown features intact and complete chewing surfaces and superb enamel.  Jaw has one repaired fracture but NO RESTORATION.  

Lutra canadensis is in the Mustelidae family of carnivores.  Mustelids are long-bodied hunters and include living members such as weasels, badgers and otters.  The sub-family Lutrinae, which this species of otter belongs, are semi-aquatic carnivorans.  They possess especially broad molars well-suited for crushing shellfish and crustaceans, main components of their diet along with fish.  Otters will also feed on small birds, rodents, and amphibians if the opportunity presents itself.

Males grow to 1.2 meters in length and females to 1 meter in length.  Otters breed only once every two years with a gestation period of nine weeks.  The litter yields anywhere from one to four cubs and these cubs require the care of the mother for up to one year.  Lutra canadensis survived the mass extinction that occurred at the end of the Pleistocene and is found today in North America.