Fossils for Sale - High-quality BRITISH and WORLDWIDE Fossils. An impressive selection of fossils, including Ammonites, Trilobites, Belemnites, Fossil Fish, Fossil Shark Teeth, Fossilised Insects in Amber, Dinosaurs, and Reptiles. UK Fossils was formed in 1988 and collects and preps our own fossils in the heart of the Jurassic Coast, collecting fossils from Lyme Regis, Charmouth and Somerset. Our passion for fossils is reflected in our carefully curated collection, which includes some of the rarest and most unique specimens available.

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Large Crocodile Scute Fossil – Diplocynodon – Eocene, Morocco

£42.00

Offered for sale is a large fossilised crocodile scute, identified as belonging to the extinct genus Diplocynodon. This impressive specimen originates from Eocene-aged deposits in Morocco, representing an ancient relative of modern crocodiles that once thrived in subtropical freshwater environments.

Fossil Type:

  • Specimen: Crocodile Scute (Osteoderm)
  • Genus: Diplocynodon
  • A heavily armoured part of the dermal skeleton, typically located along the back or flanks

Geological Context:

  • Period: Paleogene
  • Epoch: Eocene
  • Age Range: ~56 to 34 million years ago
  • Depositional Environment: Fluvial and lacustrine (river and lake) systems typical of subtropical Eocene Morocco. These ecosystems were rich in crocodilians, turtles, and early mammals, with fine sediments preserving vertebrate remains well.

Morphological Features:

  • Large, bony scute with characteristic pitted texture and convex curvature
  • May show keel or central ridge depending on location in the body armour
  • Fossilised in mottled brown, grey, or ochre hues due to iron and mineral replacement

Scientific Importance:

  • Diplocynodon is an extinct genus of alligatoroid crocodilian known from both Europe and North Africa
  • These scutes help researchers understand crocodile evolution, biomechanics, and defensive adaptations during the Eocene
  • Scutes like this are commonly found detached from the skeleton and provide valuable data for species identification and palaeoecological reconstructions

Locality Information:

  • Morocco – a globally significant fossil locality for Eocene freshwater deposits, yielding crocodyliform remains alongside fish, turtles, and mammals

Authenticity & Display:

All of our fossils are 100% Genuine Specimens and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. This listing includes actual photographs of the specimen you will receive. Please refer to the photo for full sizing – the scale cube = 1cm.

This is a fantastic collector’s piece for anyone interested in fossil reptiles, Eocene ecosystems, or the evolution of crocodilians. A well-preserved and visually impressive fossil, ideal for educational display or private collections.

Own a real piece of Eocene life—an armoured fragment from a prehistoric crocodile over 40 million years old!

(Actual as seen)

Out of stock

SKU: UF3440 Category:

Description

Offered for sale is a large fossilised crocodile scute, identified as belonging to the extinct genus Diplocynodon. This impressive specimen originates from Eocene-aged deposits in Morocco, representing an ancient relative of modern crocodiles that once thrived in subtropical freshwater environments.

Fossil Type:

  • Specimen: Crocodile Scute (Osteoderm)
  • Genus: Diplocynodon
  • A heavily armoured part of the dermal skeleton, typically located along the back or flanks

Geological Context:

  • Period: Paleogene
  • Epoch: Eocene
  • Age Range: ~56 to 34 million years ago
  • Depositional Environment: Fluvial and lacustrine (river and lake) systems typical of subtropical Eocene Morocco. These ecosystems were rich in crocodilians, turtles, and early mammals, with fine sediments preserving vertebrate remains well.

Morphological Features:

  • Large, bony scute with characteristic pitted texture and convex curvature
  • May show keel or central ridge depending on location in the body armour
  • Fossilised in mottled brown, grey, or ochre hues due to iron and mineral replacement

Scientific Importance:

  • Diplocynodon is an extinct genus of alligatoroid crocodilian known from both Europe and North Africa
  • These scutes help researchers understand crocodile evolution, biomechanics, and defensive adaptations during the Eocene
  • Scutes like this are commonly found detached from the skeleton and provide valuable data for species identification and palaeoecological reconstructions

Locality Information:

  • Morocco – a globally significant fossil locality for Eocene freshwater deposits, yielding crocodyliform remains alongside fish, turtles, and mammals

Authenticity & Display:

All of our fossils are 100% Genuine Specimens and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. This listing includes actual photographs of the specimen you will receive. Please refer to the photo for full sizing – the scale cube = 1cm.

This is a fantastic collector’s piece for anyone interested in fossil reptiles, Eocene ecosystems, or the evolution of crocodilians. A well-preserved and visually impressive fossil, ideal for educational display or private collections.

Own a real piece of Eocene life—an armoured fragment from a prehistoric crocodile over 40 million years old!

Additional information

Era

Eocene

Origin

Morocco

Eocene Information

The Eocene Period (56–33.9 million years ago) was a time of warm global temperatures and the rapid evolution of mammals following the extinction of the dinosaurs. The climate was hot and humid, with lush rainforests covering much of the planet, even near the poles. Mammals diversified into new ecological roles, with early primates, whales (like Basilosaurus), large herbivores, and carnivores emerging. Birds and reptiles also thrived, and the first grasses began spreading, setting the stage for later grassland ecosystems. By the late Eocene, the Earth’s climate cooled significantly, leading to the formation of the first Antarctic ice sheets and the eventual transition to the drier, cooler Oligocene Period.

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