2.15" Fossil Sauropod Dinosaur (Rebbachisaurus?) Tooth - Morocco

This is a partially rooted, 2.15" long tooth of a large Moroccan diplodocid sauropod, likely Rebbachisaurus garasbae. It comes from the Late Cretaceous, Kem Kem of Morocco, home to such meat eating giants as Spinosaurus and Carcharodontosaurus.

There is some crack repair through the tooth and some natural compression at the middle of the tooth.

About Rebbachisaurus

Rebbachisaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaur of the superfamily Diplodocoidea that lived during the Early-Late Cretaceous period in Africa about 99 million years ago. It reached lengths of up to 20 meters (65 feet) long. This massive four-legged plant-eating animal had a small head, a long, graceful neck, and a whip-like tail. Rebbachisaurus is distinguished from other sauropods by its unusually tall, ridged back. The discovery of Rayososaurus, a South American sauropod nearly identical to Rebbachisaurus, supports the theory that there was still a land connection between Africa and South America during the Early Cretaceous, long after it was commonly thought that the two continents had separated.

An artists reconstruction of Rebbachisaurus.
An artists reconstruction of Rebbachisaurus.

The Kem Kem Group

The Kem Kem Group, also known as the Kem Kem Beds, is a significant geological formation located in southeastern Morocco, specifically in the region of the Anti-Atlas Mountains. This formation dates back to the late Cretaceous period, approximately 95 million years ago. The Kem Kem Beds are primarily composed of sandstone, siltstone, and claystone, interspersed with various sedimentary features that indicate a fluvial to deltaic environment.

The Kem Kem Group is renowned for its rich fossil deposits, which include a diverse array of prehistoric fauna. It has yielded a wide variety of dinosaur fossils, including theropods like Spinosaurus and Carcharodontosaurus, as well as large Sauropod dinosaurs such as Rebbachisaurus. Additionally, the beds are home to many other fossilized creatures, including crocodiles, pterosaurs, fish, and a range of invertebrates.

Paleontologists consider the Kem Kem Group an important site for studying late Cretaceous ecosystems and the evolution of vertebrate life. The fossils found in this region have provided valuable insights into the diversity and behavior of prehistoric species, making it a key location for both scientific research and fossil collecting. The striking landscapes of the Kem Kem Beds, with their colorful rock formations and dramatic geological features, also attract geologists and tourists interested in the natural history of the area.

A paper on this assemblage can be found at: Vertebrate assemblages from the early Late Cretaceous of southeastern Morocco: An overview

One of the tunnels dug into the Kem Kem beds by local miners following the productive fossil beds.
One of the tunnels dug into the Kem Kem beds by local miners following the productive fossil beds.
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Rebbachisaurus garasbae?
LOCATION
Taouz, Kem Kem Basin, Morocco
FORMATION
Kem Kem Beds
SIZE
2.15" long
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#238714
GUARANTEE
We guarantee the authenticity of all of our specimens.