Description
100% Genuine Triceratops Juvenile Rooted Tooth Fossil
This listing is for a Triceratops Dinosaur Juvenile Rooted Tooth Fossil from the world-famous Hell Creek Formation in North Dakota, USA. The exact specimen pictured is the one you will receive, with a 1cm cube shown for accurate scale. Every fossil we supply is 100% genuine and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, ensuring that you are purchasing a verified piece of prehistoric history.
Geological Background – Hell Creek Formation
The Hell Creek Formation is a Late Cretaceous fossil-bearing deposit dating to the Maastrichtian stage, approximately 66 million years ago. Spanning regions of North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming, it is globally recognised for preserving one of the last ecosystems to exist before the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event.
This formation is composed of sandstones, siltstones, clays, and mudstones deposited in ancient river channels, floodplains, and swampy lowland environments. The depositional setting captured an extraordinary range of fauna and flora, including dinosaurs, early mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and abundant plant life. Among the most iconic fossils recovered are those of Triceratops, one of the dominant herbivores of the period.
Triceratops – Species Overview
Triceratops belongs to the order Ornithischia, superfamily Ceratopsoidea, and family Ceratopsidae. Famous for its massive skull, three horns, and bony frill, Triceratops is one of the most recognised dinosaurs in paleontology. Adults reached up to 9 metres in length and weighed as much as 12 tonnes.
Triceratops teeth were specialised for processing fibrous, woody vegetation. Arranged in dental batteries, hundreds of teeth were stacked vertically, constantly being replaced as they wore down. This adaptation provided a continuous grinding surface, enabling the animal to feed efficiently on tough plants.
Morphology of Juvenile Rooted Tooth Fossil
The fossil offered here is a juvenile rooted tooth, an especially significant find. Unlike shed crowns, a rooted tooth preserves both the chewing surface and part of the anchoring root, providing valuable insight into growth and tooth development. Juvenile teeth tend to be smaller, with less wear than those of adults, and the enamel often displays fine ridges used for shearing plant material.
The crown is typically leaf-shaped with vertical striations, while the root is cylindrical and tapers to its end. The preservation of the root makes this fossil scientifically and visually exceptional, representing not just feeding behaviour but also the biological development of young Triceratops individuals.
Colouration and Preservation
The natural fossilisation process within the Hell Creek sediments produces teeth with colours ranging from earthy browns to deep greys and blacks, depending on the minerals absorbed during diagenesis. This particular specimen shows excellent preservation, with defined morphology and mineral replacement that highlights its natural form.
Scientific and Collector Significance
A juvenile rooted tooth fossil is rarer than adult shed crowns and is highly valued by collectors and researchers alike. It offers a direct glimpse into the life history of Triceratops, shedding light on how these dinosaurs grew, replaced their teeth, and adapted to their environment. For collectors, it is a prized specimen that combines rarity, scientific importance, and aesthetic appeal.
Why This Specimen is Unique
- Authentic Triceratops Dinosaur Juvenile Rooted Tooth Fossil
- From the Hell Creek Formation, North Dakota, USA
- Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian stage (approx. 66 million years old)
- Certificate of Authenticity included
- Exact fossil shown in the photo will be sent
- 1cm cube shown for accurate size reference
This Triceratops Juvenile Rooted Tooth Fossil is an extraordinary piece of natural history, offering not just a connection to one of the most famous dinosaurs but also a rare example of juvenile growth features. It represents a true collector’s treasure from the final days of the Cretaceous.
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