This is a Beautiful Fossil Molar with an associated jaw fragment from a Basilosaurid, a prehistoric whale from the Eocene of Morocco! The overall piece measures 3.24 Inches! The exposed portion of the molar measures 1.88 inches, but extends into the rock so the full tooth is larger than that. The jaw fragment is 2.22 inches. The overall piece is in fantastic condition with great cusps! The specimen has a repaired break, the exposed part of the molar broke off and was reattached, but it isn't restored in anyway unlike the overwhelming majority of Moroccan Basilosaurid teeth! It comes in a double sided clear display case with a stand for easy transport and a beautiful display!
Basilosaurids are an extinct group of predatory whales that lived throughout the world’s oceans during the Eocene from 46 to 33.9 million years ago. Much like modern whales, they were massive with the largest species growing to over 60 feet in length! With Megalodon still millions of years away, they were the top predators of the world’s oceans feeding on large fish and other prehistoric whales including smaller Basilosaurids! They’re known for several unique features compared to other whales. For one, their bodies were long and serpentine which initially confused scientists and made them think they were reptiles, hence the “saurus” at the end of the name of the first discovered member Basilosaurus. They also possessed several traits left over from their land-dwelling ancestors like the presence of small hindlimbs and complex teeth, still having distinctive molars and incisors. Because of this, Basilosaurids were thought to be one of the final stages in the evolution from whale’s early land-dwelling ancestors into modern whales. However today it is thought that they were more of a side branch that evolved from those same ancestors and retained several of the characteristics of those ancestors that were lost with modern whales. Whatever their relation, Basilosaurids were incredible animals. True living sea serpents that were some of the largest predators in Earth’s history and show a fascinating and important snapshot into the evolution of the largest animals to ever live from their small dog-like ancestors!
A great opportunity to own a piece of an incredible prehistoric sea monster!
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Species: Basilosaurid
Size: 3.24 inches (overall piece) 1.88 inches (exposed molar), 2.22 inches (jaw fragment)
Found: Morocco
Age: Eocene 46 to 33.9 million years
Repair: the exposed part of the molar broke off and was reattached