Large Cretaceous Crocodilian Osteoderm Scute Fossil - Kem Kem Beds - Morocco

Species: Crocodylomorpha indet.Formation: Kem Kem BedsLocality: MoroccoAge: Cenomanian Cretaceous, 98-92.5 million years oldA Crocodilian Osteoderm (Scute) from the Kem Kem Beds in Morocco.Osteoderms are armor-like bones that sit directly under the skin of crocodilians, often visible as rows of ridges and bumps along the back and tail. There is no restoration or repair on this piece. Bones from this locality are often mistakenly sold as Sarcosuchus, a famous crocodilian from an entirely different country. There are a number of different crocodilian species from the Kem Kem Beds, so it is not possible to know which species this osteoderm belonged to.Crocodilians are a highly diverse and successful group of carnivorous reptiles which first appeared about 250 million years ago, and still exists today. Though Antarctica and Europe lack native extant species, crocodilian fossils have been found on every continent. They are characterized by armored lizard-like bodies, laterally compressed tails, and wide, flat snouts, among other features. Though all of the surviving species of crocodilian are adapted for semi-aquatic lifestyles, many extinct species were actually fully terrestrial.We do combine domestic shipping! Shipping cost is built into many of our items that have free shipping, so if you order multiple items at once, we will refund the difference! If you are an international buyer, please either buy all of your items at the same time in the same order, or message us so we can combine the listing. If you buy them separately, the eBay Global Shipping Program will not allow us to combine the shipping.