Description
Plesiosaur Tooth on Matrix
This Plesiosaur tooth on matrix is 7cm long and has come from Morocco. The overall condition is excellent with a good point and enamel in an excellent state. There has been some restoration work, but this is normal for something as delicate as this.
The plesiosaur was not a dinosaur but a ferocious, carnivorous, marine reptile. They had an exceptionally small head and a long slender neck. Their body was broad with two pairs of large flippers or paddles and a short stumpy tail. These creatures swam in the oceans between 215 million and 65 million years ago. During that span of 150 million years numerous types evolved. Plesiosaur gave birth to live young in shallower water. Some of the largest fossils indicate that the biggest individuals grew up to 15 metres. With the largest of these huge marine reptile weighing 30 tons or more. They are thought to have fed on everything from belemnites and clams and also fish and other reptiles.
Mary Anning the fossil hunter from Lyme Regis found the first complete plesiosaur in 1823. This was just one of her many remarkable discoveries. Sadly her work was only fully recognised until after her death in 1847.
Bearing in mind that these fossils from Morocco date back to the Cretaceous age and thus many millions of years old they are rarely in perfect condition. It is often necessary for restoration work to be done, as is the case with this fossilised tooth. This does not however detract from what is a fine display piece.
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