A superb example of Dyrosaurus crocodile vertebrae measuring 1.4ft, a partial section with a gastrolith stone inclusion. Presented in our classic in-house designed bronze mount. Another wonderful example of unique fossil discovery, this rare museum standard specimen, discovered in Oulad Abdoun Basin, Morocco, North Africa.

Dyrosaurus is a genus of extinct crocodylomorph that lived from the upper Cretaceous to the Eocene period, surviving the K-Pg extinction event. Dyrosaurus are linked to pholidosaurids as a clade and are defined as slender-snouted, fish-eating specialists adapted to near-shore marine habitats. The Dyrosauridae are a group of mostly marine, long-jawed, crocodile-like quadrupeds up to 6 metres long.

The fossilised vertebrae have been cleaned away from the fossil bed matrix and preserved in preparatory chemicals to conserve each bone. This work was carried partially in Morocco and completed in the UK lab, along with our bronze mount. The bone tissue is fragile and requires careful handling when being removed from its stand. For such a large fossil the weight is deceptively lightweight, this is common of a fossil from the phosphates mines of the region.

The bone tissue from this Dyrosaurus, now fossilised, is preserved exceedingly well, showing distinct, clear detail and texture. This fossil has lots of scientific attributes and forms an aesthetically pleasing sculpture display which could be a central statement fossil in a collection or used as a quirky interior design element.

The Tethyan phosphate trend sprawls across North Africa and up to the Middle East and the phosphate deposit is mined in several countries along with the trend. The Moroccan portion of the trend is presently the most exploited, producing about 19 million tonnes, 14% of the global supply [1980 figures], making this one of Morocco main industries. All mining is state-owned by the Office Cherifien des Phosphates [OCP]. At and on the plateaux, in this region are 3 to 5 main outcrops of phosphate. Around the area of Kouribga, the Oulad-Abdoun plateau has been mined since the 1920s. The Ganntour plateau to the south has been mined for many years. A new mine in the central area of this deposit at Ben Guerir was commissioned in 1981. Hence the recent discoveries since this date of numerous fossils.

Genus: Dyrosaurus Phosphaticus. (Dyrosauridae. Phosphatosaurus).
Origin: Phosphate of Benguerir, Oulad Abdoun Basin, Morocco, N. Africa.
Age: Mesozoic, late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian, 65 - 70 million years.

Dyrosaurus vertebrae measurements.
Overall height: 33 cm
Width: 37 cm
Depth: 6 cm

Overall measurements.
Length: 44 cm
Width: 37 cm
Depth: 10 cm

Weight: 4.231 Kg