Locality: Upper Niobrara formation, Logan Co., Kansas
Description: This extremely rare and unusual skeleton of Clidastes was recently discovered and recovered by the staff of Triebold Paleontology, Inc. Two species of Clidastes are so far recognized from the chalk, C. liodontus and C. propython. The skull of this specimen shows traits of both these species (such as the frontal of C. liodontus but the quadrate of C. propython), as well as unusually robust and powerful teeth not normally seen in Clidastes at all, leading some researchers to wonder if this specimen represents a new species. This giant specimen measures 4.8 meters (16 feet) from snout to rarely preserved tail tip. As with many older animals, the cartilage in the body has calcified, and is still preserved in the areas of the ear, trachea, shoulders, sternal plate and sternal ribs. This is one of the most complete examples of this kind of mosasaur ever discovered.
Comments: If you look closely, you will see that the tip of the left lower jaw is mangled from an old injury, most likely caused by another mosasaur. Though the jaw is distorted and the injury resulted in the loss of the front most tooth socket, the injury had healed, indicating that this Clidastes survived the encounter.
Availability: 6-9 months from date of aquisition.
Price: $125,000 plaque mount
$145,000 3D
- The complete specimen on display in the marine hall of the RMDRC
- Skull and torso showing extensive cartilage
