Sculpted Stone

This is a fabulous mammal fossil. It is a complete skull and lower jaws from the extinct oreodon, Merycoidodon culbertsoni. Merycoidodon was an animal similar to a pig, but had a longer body and short limbs. The skulls of Mercyoidodon have a pit in front of the eyes. Similar pits are found in the skulls of modern deer, where they contain a scent gland used for marking territory. Although Merycoidodon was not directly related to deer, it seems likely that it possessed a similar gland, which may imply that it, too, was territorial. Oreodonts lived in large herds and moved about from place to place. They seem to have had a predilection for well-watered regions, where food was plentiful and succulent.

This specimen has the skull and lower jaws intact and tightly articulated. Even the front teeth are present, which is extremely unusual. In fact, all of the teeth are very well-displayed. The skull has been prepared fully free of matrix, and is beautifully showcased on the marble block base (skull can be easily removed from base). This is a top quality vertebrate fossil - very sought-after and extremely collectible.

A Certificate of Authenticity from EXTINCTIONS is included with this specimen.