Phytosaur Tooth

A Phytosaur tooth from the Redonda Formation of New Mexico.

Phytosaurs were a group of large, semi-aquatic reptiles that dominated freshwater ecosystems during the Late Triassic period. Although they bear a striking resemblance to modern crocodiles—complete with armored scales, powerful tails, and elongated jaws—this is actually a classic example of convergent evolution rather than a direct ancestral link. Ranging from modest sizes to giants exceeding 10 meters in length, these formidable predators occupied the top of the food chain until they vanished during the Triassic-Jurassic extinction event, leaving the "crocodile" niche vacant for true crocodilians to eventually fill.

The tooth comes stored in a display box featuring the specimen name, region it was found, age and a QR code linking to some information about phytosaurs (the fossil can be removed from the box).

This is genuine fossil. All the specimens we offer come with a lifetime authenticity guarantee.

Condition: Good | Size: 0.5 inch | Age: 210 Million Years | Found: New Mexico, USA (Redonda Formation)