2.4″ Top Rare Globidens Tooth Original Fossil Mosasaurus

2.4″ Top Rare Globidens Tooth Original Fossilized Mosasaurus Dinosaur

This unusual Globidens tooth belongs to Igdamanosaurus aegyptiacus, previously classified under the genus Globidens. Most Mosasaurs had sharp teeth evolved for capturing slippery prey like fish. However, Igdamanosaurus boasted semispherical teeth with rounded acorn-like points, ideal for crushing tough armored prey such as small turtles, ammonites, and bivalves.

The tooth originates from the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 70 million years ago, within the phosphate deposits of the Sidi Chennane Basin  in Morocco. Extracting these teeth occurs during extensive phosphate mining operations in the region. Procuring teeth in such pristine condition can be challenging, as mining equipment often damages or destroys the majority.

Globidens, an extinct marine reptile genus in the Mosasauridae family, lived during the Late Cretaceous, about 94 to 66 million years ago. Known for their robust, globular teeth, they were specialized predators, crushing hard-shelled prey like mollusks. The name “Globidens” comes from Latin, meaning “sphere tooth,” reflecting the teeth’s rounded shape. These creatures were apex predators, roaming the Late Cretaceous oceans worldwide. Fossils have been discovered in North America, Africa, and Europe, indicating their broad distribution. Their discovery offers valuable insights into mosasaurs’ ecological roles and adaptations, deepening our understanding of Late Cretaceous marine ecosystems.