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4.25" Fossil Spinosaurus Toe Claw - Top Quality & Unrestored
This is a spectacular, 4.25" long toe claw from the largest known theropod dinosaur, Spinosaurus. While Spinosaurus teeth are common and readily available for sale, claws (in particular, well preserved ones) are RARE finds!
Unlike many claws available for sale which are heavily restored (or just carved) this one is in phenomenal condition with no repair or restoration. You will be hard pressed to find a nicer Spinosaurus toe claw than this one.
Unlike many claws available for sale which are heavily restored (or just carved) this one is in phenomenal condition with no repair or restoration. You will be hard pressed to find a nicer Spinosaurus toe claw than this one.
About Spinosaurus
Spinosaurus is one of the most spectacular and horrible creatures that ever stalked the Earth. Evidence suggests that it was semi-aquatic, so there was nowhere to escape from this fish and dinosaur-eating monster. It belonged to a genus of theropod dinosaur, and lived in what is now North Africa during the Cretaceous period, about 112 to 97 million years ago. The original fossil evidence of S. aegyptiacus from Egypt was destroyed in WWII. More recently, relatively abundant Spinosaurus fossils have been found in the Kem Kem Beds of Morocco, and there are almost certainly multiple species present.
Spinosaurus is currently the largest of all known carnivorous dinosaurs, even larger than T-Rex! While the exact size is debated ,recent finds and studies suggest Spinosaurus may have reached 41-59 feet in length and weighed in excess of 20 tons.
Spinosaurus had distinctive neural spines, extensions of the vertebrae that grew to at least 1.65 meters (5.4 feet) long. They were likely connected by skin to form a sail-like structure, but some authors suggest that the spines were similar in purpose and design to those of hump-backed mammals. Thermoregulation, display, and added weight while in the water are other likely explanations for this remarkable structure.
Spinosaurus's massive, nearly 6-foot skull is narrow like that of a modern crocodilian. Indicative of a piscivore, it had elongated jaws, conical, unserrated teeth, and raised nostrils. Isotope analysis of the teeth suggests a semi-aquatic lifestyle. It was likely a generalized and opportunistic predator, biased toward fishing.
Spinosaurus was a monster that lived among monsters. A picture of its life is pieced together with the gruesome contents of its meals and other macabre details of Cretaceous North Africa. Spinosaurus may have lived alongside similarly large dinosaurian predators such as Carcharodontosaurus, titanosaur sauropods, and the 33-foot long crocodylomorphs Stomatosuchus and Sarcosuchus.
A note on fossil Spinosaurus teeth:
Spinosaurus teeth are relatively common fossils, but large (3+ inches), well-preserved examples are rare. These large Spinosaurus teeth will often be heavily doctored. We’ve seen many examples where multiple partial teeth can been glued to together to create a larger fake tooth, or where enamel has been painted on. One giveaway to look for is a ring of sand around the middle of the tooth, usually glued on to hide a break. Sometimes this is a sign that multiple partial teeth have been composited, but other times it is used to disguise a badly done repair job.
While some teeth on FossilEra for sale have these types of repairs or restoration, we are careful to note it in the descriptions and they are priced accordingly.
Spinosaurus is one of the most spectacular and horrible creatures that ever stalked the Earth. Evidence suggests that it was semi-aquatic, so there was nowhere to escape from this fish and dinosaur-eating monster. It belonged to a genus of theropod dinosaur, and lived in what is now North Africa during the Cretaceous period, about 112 to 97 million years ago. The original fossil evidence of S. aegyptiacus from Egypt was destroyed in WWII. More recently, relatively abundant Spinosaurus fossils have been found in the Kem Kem Beds of Morocco, and there are almost certainly multiple species present.
Spinosaurus is currently the largest of all known carnivorous dinosaurs, even larger than T-Rex! While the exact size is debated ,recent finds and studies suggest Spinosaurus may have reached 41-59 feet in length and weighed in excess of 20 tons.
Spinosaurus had distinctive neural spines, extensions of the vertebrae that grew to at least 1.65 meters (5.4 feet) long. They were likely connected by skin to form a sail-like structure, but some authors suggest that the spines were similar in purpose and design to those of hump-backed mammals. Thermoregulation, display, and added weight while in the water are other likely explanations for this remarkable structure.
Spinosaurus's massive, nearly 6-foot skull is narrow like that of a modern crocodilian. Indicative of a piscivore, it had elongated jaws, conical, unserrated teeth, and raised nostrils. Isotope analysis of the teeth suggests a semi-aquatic lifestyle. It was likely a generalized and opportunistic predator, biased toward fishing.
Spinosaurus was a monster that lived among monsters. A picture of its life is pieced together with the gruesome contents of its meals and other macabre details of Cretaceous North Africa. Spinosaurus may have lived alongside similarly large dinosaurian predators such as Carcharodontosaurus, titanosaur sauropods, and the 33-foot long crocodylomorphs Stomatosuchus and Sarcosuchus.
A note on fossil Spinosaurus teeth:
Spinosaurus teeth are relatively common fossils, but large (3+ inches), well-preserved examples are rare. These large Spinosaurus teeth will often be heavily doctored. We’ve seen many examples where multiple partial teeth can been glued to together to create a larger fake tooth, or where enamel has been painted on. One giveaway to look for is a ring of sand around the middle of the tooth, usually glued on to hide a break. Sometimes this is a sign that multiple partial teeth have been composited, but other times it is used to disguise a badly done repair job.
While some teeth on FossilEra for sale have these types of repairs or restoration, we are careful to note it in the descriptions and they are priced accordingly.
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.
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.
SPECIES
Spinosaurus sp.
LOCATION
Taouz, Kem Kem Basin, Morocco
FORMATION
Kem Kem Beds
SIZE
4.25" long
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#245568
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