Large Phytosaurus Vertebrae - Redondasaurus

This is an unusual Triassic reptile fossil. It is large Vertebrae from Redondasaurus sp, one of the largest phytosaurs. It was collected from the Redonda Formation in Quay County, New Mexico. There is some minor restoration to repair a crack through the center of it.

Phytosaurs looked similar to modern day crocodiles with some minor differences. The main one being that their nostrils were up high on the head instead of at the very front of the snout. They grew up to 16 feet in length and were certainly one of the dominant predators at the time.