1.5" Fossil Mosasaur (Clidastes) Cervical Vertebra - Kansas

This is a 1.5" wide cervical vertebra from Clidastes velox (propython), a species of Mosasaur. It was collected from the Smoky Hill Chalk in Gove County, Kansas.

Clidastes is an extinct aquatic lizard belonging to the mosasaur family. Clidastes was a one of the smaller types of mosasaurs. Although some species were larger, the average length of this genera is only a few meters, perhaps 10 feet in length. This mosasaur was also slimmer than the others, the rib cage was narrower, giving it a more sleek, or eel like look. It was probably very agile, and able to chase down smaller prey.

Mosasaur size comparison
Mosasaur size comparison


The Smoky Hill Chalk Member of the Niobrara Chalk formation is a Cretaceous conservation Lagerstätte, or fossil-rich geological formation, known primarily for its exceptionally well-preserved marine reptiles. It outcrops in parts of northwest Kansas--its most famous localities for fossils--and in southeastern Nebraska. Large, well-known fossils excavated from the Smoky Hill Chalk include marine reptiles such as plesiosaurs, large bony fish such as Xiphactinus, mosasaurs, pterosaurs, and turtles.
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Clidastes velox (propython)
LOCATION
Gove County, Kansas
FORMATION
Niobrara Formation
SIZE
1.5" wide
ITEM
#136436
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