Pterosaur Tooth | Cretaceous Period

Pterosaurs were a group of flying reptiles that lived during the Mesozoic Era, alongside dinosaurs, from approximately 228 to 66 million years ago. Though often mistaken for dinosaurs, they belonged to a distinct group within the broader class of reptiles. Pterosaurs were the first vertebrates to evolve powered flight, long before birds or bats. They had lightweight, hollow bones and a wing structure supported primarily by an elongated fourth finger, with a membranous skin stretching between this finger and their bodies.

There was considerable variation among pterosaurs in terms of size, shape, and lifestyle. Some, like the 'Pterodactylus', were relatively small, with wingspans of about 1 meter, while others, such as the 'Quetzalcoatlus', had wingspans exceeding 10 meters, making them some of the largest flying animals ever known. Pterosaurs had diverse diets, with some species preying on fish, others scavenging, and still others possibly consuming small land animals or insects. Many pterosaurs also had distinctive head crests, which may have been used for display, species recognition, or aerodynamics.

Pterosaurs’ fossil record is relatively sparse, with the exception of their teeth, due to their fragile, lightweight bones, which rarely fossilized well. However, fossil discoveries have revealed a wealth of information about their anatomy, flight mechanics, and behavior. Despite their aerial dominance for millions of years, pterosaurs became extinct at the end of the Cretaceous Period, likely due to the same mass extinction event that wiped out the non-avian dinosaurs.

Ancient Artifacts guarantees the Authenticity of items sold through a three layer system of protection: 

1. Ancient Artifacts exclusively sources artifacts from trusted and reputable antique distributors, many of whom have been selling Artifacts for decades.  
2. Next, the Artifact is inspected by an expert team member, who is professionally trained in counterfeit detection After the artifact passes inspection, the Certificate of Authenticity is signed and the Artifact is packaged. 
3. Finally, Ancient Artifacts gives an additional layer of protection by promising a full refund with no questions asked, in the extremely unlikely event that a counterfeit slips through our vetting process.

Your tooth will look very similar to the one shown in the photos. There will always be some variety, given our items are unique historical pieces. The display case included is openable so that you may easily handle and closely observe the artifact.If for whatever reason you get anything that does not fit this description you are entitled to your money back! 

Like many of our fossil items, these teeth come from the Kem Kem beds of Morocco, a Geological formation known for its abundant fossils. The region was once a lush, river-dominated delta, characterized by sprawling waterways, floodplains, and forests. This unique environment served as a crossroads between freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems, creating a thriving habitat for a wide variety of species.

Fossils from the Kem Kem Beds are remarkably common and widely available due to a combination of geological, environmental, and socioeconomic factors. This unique fossil hotspot in southeastern Morocco offers a rich supply of specimens, and the region's historical approach to fossil collection and trade has made these fossils accessible to researchers, collectors, and enthusiasts worldwide. The sheer abundance of these fossils permits widespread private collection for a relatively low cost.