Carcharodontosaurus Tooth - SOLD 2.33"
Carcharodontosaurus Tooth - SOLD 2.33"
Deadly, gigantic, and hungry, the Carcharodontosaurus was one of the most fearsome predators of the mid-Cretaceous. This massive theropod is sometimes nicknamed “The Moroccan T. Rex,” though it was really related to the even larger Giganotosaurus.
This specimen is a complete crown of a real, fossilized Carcharodontosaurus tooth from the Kem Kem fossil beds of Morocco. The tooth measures 2.33" in length.
Showcase Specimens
In addition to the classic boxed specimens, we also have larger teeth available. Each tooth is priced and sold individually. These teeth are too large for our standard riker boxes and will ship in sturdy cartons. They will also include individual certificates of authenticity.
Please note: ALL Carcharodontosaurus teeth will show some sign of repair. In addition, to protect the specimen during transit every Carcharodontosaurus tooth is individually wrapped.
On receipt, simply open the top of the case and unwrap the tooth and then arrange the tooth inside the case as pictured here on the site. We also recommend placing the bubble wrap under the soft, white lining of the case. This extra padding will keep the tooth snug in the case after the lid is secured.
Carcharodontosaurus Classic Riker Boxed Teeth
Carcharodontosaurus Classic Riker Boxed Teeth
📸 Classic Riker Box Carcharodontosaurus Sizes
Classic Riker Box Carcharodontosaurus Tooth Sizes
As you might expect, Carcharodontosaurus teeth vary in size, width, and color. For convenience we've grouped teeth into similar sizes by length and "visual weight" in order to assign then to categories:
Small - 1" to 1.5"(approximately 2.5cm to 3.8cm)
Large - 1.5" to 2"(approximately 3.8cm to 5cm)
Both sizes ship in our classic, glass-topped riker box cases, which measure 4 1/2" x 3 1/2". All boxed teeth include a small information card that also serves as the certificate of authenticity.
ESTIMATED AGE: 100,000,000 YEARS OLD
MORE ABOUT CARCHARODONTOSAURUS
"The new specimen is as long or longer than any skull of Tyrannosaurus rex, which has always been referred to as the largest known terrestrial carnivore." ~ Philip J. Currie
Deadly, gigantic, and hungry, the Carcharodontosaurus was one of the most fearsome predators of the mid Cretaceous. This massive theropod is sometimes nicknamed “The Moroccan T. Rex,” though it was actually related to the even larger Giganotosaurus. Carcharodontosaurus is estimated to have grown as large as 44 feet long with a weight of 16 tons, with a terrifying set of serrated teeth to match, which it used to dominate the Kem Kem river delta.
📸 Reconstructed Carcharodontosaurus skull at the Science Museum of Minnesota (Source: Matthew Deery)
BIG BITE!
Fossils from Carcharodontosaurus were first discovered in 1924, when two teeth were found in Algeria. Other fossils were uncovered in the region but ended up destroyed due to fighting from World War II. In 1995, parts of a new skull were uncovered in Morocco, which put estimates to the creature’s head at almost 5 feet long. Housed in this massive skull were powerful jaws of serrated teeth measuring up to 8 inches in length. These teeth helped Carcharodontosaurus tear and shred its meals while it was on the hunt, and the size of its maw allowed it to easily grab and trap prey.
The huge teeth are also what give Carcharodontosaurus its mouthful of a name. The species was named after the discovery of the teeth, which resembled that of the great white shark, a member of the genus Carcharodon. Carcharodon sharks, in turn, take their names from the Greek for “jagged teeth,” karcharos and odōn.
📸 Size comparisons of Carcharodontosaurus and other large theropods. (Source: KoprX Wikipedia)
TAXONOMY
Ancestors of Carcharodontosaurus are believed to have radiated out from Africa in the early Cretaceous period before becoming isolated around 90 million years ago. The cousins to Carcharodontosaurus encompass a wide variety of dinosaurs, from the comparably smaller Allosaurus to the semi-aquatic Spinosaurus, and the massive Giganotosaurus, all of which were dangerous predators in their own right.
Giganotosaurus in particular shared quite a close relation with Carcharodontosaurus, with a similar shape, size, and diet. The two were primarily separated by the ocean between Africa and South America.
Some Carcharodontosaurus remains have been found within hunting proximity of other predator families like abelisaurids and spinosaurids. How did these apex theropods manage to coexist with each other? While it’s very likely the carnivores fought with each other over territory, they also had very different teeth structures. Because of this, it's thought that the dinosaurs fulfilled unique ecological niches, meaning there would be less rivalry for food.
Front of the Specimen Card
Back of the Specimen Card
Further Reading
Sereno, Paul C., et al. “Predatory Dinosaurs from the Sahara and Late Cretaceous Faunal Differentiation.” Science, vol. 272, no. 5264, 1996, pp. 986–991.
Brusatte, Stephen L., and Paul C. Sereno. “A New Species of Carcharodontosaurus (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from the Cenomanian of Niger and a Revision of the Genus.” Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, vol. 27, no. 4, 2007, pp. 902–916.
Currie, Philip J. “Out of Africa: Meat-Eating Dinosaurs That Challenge Tyrannosaurus Rex.” Science, vol. 272, no. 5264, 1996, pp. 971–972.