Serrated, 1.16" Tyrannosaur (Nanotyrannus) Tooth - North Dakota

This is a 1.16" long Tyrannosaur tooth likely of the species Nanotyrannus lancensis from the Hell Creek Formation. It was collected this past summer from one of our partners new leases near Bowman. Many of the serrations are still visible along the edge of the tooth.

There is a hot debate among paleontologists about whether Nanotyrannus and Tyrannosaurus rex (T-Rex) are really the same species, with Nanotyrannus representing juveniles. Recent finds that are soon to be published should put this debate to rest, definitively proving that Nanotyrannus is in fact a separate genus and valid genus. Nano teeth tend to be much more finely serrated, and much thinner/blade like t-rex teeth, in addition to being smaller.