Rare Steneosaurus Crocodile Tooth Fossils Scute Fish Tooth Jurassic Dorset UK Durlston Bay Swanage Purbeck Beds

Description

Rare Multi-Species Fossil Set from the Purbeck Coast of Dorset

Offered here is an exceptional and highly collectible fossil association featuring a rare Steneosaurus purbeckensis crocodile tooth, an accompanying crocodile scute, and a Callipurbeckia fish tooth, all preserved together from the famous Durlston Formation (Purbeck Beds) at Durlston Bay, Swanage, Dorset, UK.

This is a carefully chosen and naturally associated fossil piece, with the photographs showing the exact specimen you will receive. Full sizing can be seen clearly in the images.

The specimen was discovered by our own team members, Alister and Alison, on 17 January 2026, and has been professionally cleaned, prepared, and treated by Alison to ensure long-term stability and display quality. Supplied with the fossil is a lifetime Certificate of Authenticity on a generic card, guaranteeing it as a genuine natural specimen.

Steneosaurus purbeckensis – Marine Crocodile of the Jurassic-Cretaceous Transition

Steneosaurus purbeckensis was a long-snouted marine crocodilian belonging to the Family Teleosauridae, within the Order Crocodylomorpha. Teleosaurs were highly adapted predators of coastal lagoons and shallow marine waters, resembling modern gharials in body form but living during the age of dinosaurs.

The tooth offered here shows the classic teleosaur morphology:

• A tapered, conical profile
• Adaptation for gripping slippery prey such as fish
• Durable enamel suited to an aquatic hunting lifestyle

Such teeth are increasingly scarce from the Purbeck succession, making this an especially desirable collector’s fossil.

Crocodile Scute – Armoured Skin Plate Fossil

Accompanying the tooth is a genuine crocodilian scute, a bony dermal plate that formed part of the animal’s protective armour. Fossil scutes are prized because they preserve evidence of the external body covering, offering insight into the defensive adaptations of these reptiles.

The scute displays natural texture and thickness, preserved within the original matrix, adding both authenticity and scientific context.

Callipurbeckia Fish Tooth – Rare Purbeck Ichthyofauna

Completing the association is a Callipurbeckia fish tooth, representing an ancient fish fauna that shared these lagoonal environments with crocodilians. Fish remains from the Purbeck Beds are an important part of reconstructing the ecosystem, and teeth such as these provide valuable evidence of feeding strategies and biodiversity.

Geological Setting – The Durlston Formation, Purbeck Beds

The Durlston Formation, part of the wider Purbeck Group, represents sediments deposited during the latest Jurassic to earliest Cretaceous in a complex environment of:

• Coastal lagoons
• Shallow freshwater to brackish systems
• Periodic marine incursions

These deposits are internationally famous for preserving a rare mix of marine and terrestrial life, including crocodilians, fish, turtles, and early mammals. Fossils from Durlston Bay are particularly sought after due to their scarcity and historical importance.

Authenticity, Provenance, and Display Value

• Species included: Steneosaurus tooth, crocodile scute, Callipurbeckia fish tooth
• Locality: Durlston Bay, Swanage, Dorset, UK
• Formation: Durlston Formation, Purbeck Beds
• Preparation: cleaned, prepped, and treated by Alison
• Certificate: lifetime authenticity guarantee included

This is an outstanding specimen for collectors of rare British reptile fossils, Purbeck material, or unusual multi-species associations. It displays beautifully, tells a complete prehistoric story, and represents a genuine window into Dorset’s ancient coastal ecosystems nearly 145 million years ago.