Dromaeosaurid Dinosaur Raptor Tooth 15mm

A superb dinosaurian tooth of small but fine detail from a dromaeosaurid discovered in the continental intercalaire of the Lower Cretaceous period, Albian Stage deposits 113 to 100 m.y.a. of the Kem-Kem Basin, Morocco. The presence of Dromaeosaurids as early as the middle Jurassic was confirmed with the discovery of Fossil Teeth.

Condition; The dromeosaur serrated tooth is a very fine example, exhibiting exceptional condition, not crumbly or having been stabilised with preservatory mediums, the enamel is very sound and of a rich dark mahogany brown colour. Often the rigours of the fossil bed cause fractures etc; this tooth is the exception to the that collecting general rule. Having an excellent morphology exhibiting the tiny serrations to the tip, which has the slightest of life wear only perceivable under a strong magnifying lens. This for the author is an added morphological bonus.

Raptor teeth are far less common discoveries than that of other dinosaurs, thousands of teeth are discovered from this location, many types and qualities of preservation including mostly damaged or partial teeth. Among these thousands over the last decade very few excellent quality raptor teeth have been discovered, more rare than other reptilian types. On a topical note while the popularity of the Jurassic Park films led to the common use of the name raptor for this taxon of dinosaur, the name does not have any academic taxonomic validity.

The archetypical sabre curve looks menacing, the highly developed slashing serrated tooth is the signature of the evolution of this particular genus type, over 100 million years of the dromeosaur lineage has gone into refining the shape and durability of the killing ungual. The Claw oozes with appeal for any dinosaur aficionado, a truly exceptional find.

Dromaeosauridae is a family of bird-like Therapod Dinosaurs [bird hipped]. They were small to medium sized possibly feathered Carnivores that flourished the Cretaceous Period. Often referred to as Raptors, after the popular and emotive Velociraptor, name tag. The name Dromaeosauridae means Running Lizards, from the Greek dromeus meaning runner. Dromaeosaurid Fossils have been found in North African Fossil Beds of Kem Kem.