Onchopristis Tooth
Onchopristis was an extinct genus of sawfish that lived during the Cretaceous period (about 100 to 66 million years ago). It belonged to the family Sclerorhynchidae, a group of prehistoric relatives of modern sawfish and rays. Fossils of Onchopristis have been found in North Africa, the Middle East, and North America, with notable discoveries in Morocco, Niger, and Egypt—particularly in formations like the Kem Kem Beds and Bahariya Formation.
Key Features of Onchopristis
1. Rostral Teeth (Saw-like Snout Spikes)
• The most recognizable fossils are their serrated, barbed teeth, which lined their long, saw-like snouts (rostrums).
• Unlike modern sawfish, their teeth were curved and barbed, making them more prone to breaking off.
• These teeth were used for hunting fish by slashing through schools of prey.
2. Large Size
• Estimated to reach lengths of 5–8 meters (16–26 feet), making it a significant predator in Cretaceous river systems.
3. Prehistoric Environment
• It lived in brackish and freshwater environments, similar to today’s sawfish.
• It shared its habitat with famous dinosaurs like Spinosaurus, which likely preyed on it. Some Spinosaurus fossils even have embedded Onchopristis teeth, suggesting they clashed in ancient waters. Fossil Discovery & Market
• Onchopristis teeth are common fossils, especially from Morocco’s Kem Kem Beds.
• They are popular among collectors because of their unique serrated structure and connection to Spinosaurus ecosystems.
• Most teeth found are fragmented or partial, but complete specimens are rarer and more valuable.
(BUSINESS & EDUCATIONAL SUPPLY ORDERS AVAILABLE)
Onchopristis was an extinct genus of sawfish that lived during the Cretaceous period (about 100 to 66 million years ago). It belonged to the family Sclerorhynchidae, a group of prehistoric relatives of modern sawfish and rays. Fossils of Onchopristis have been found in North Africa, the Middle East, and North America, with notable discoveries in Morocco, Niger, and Egypt—particularly in formations like the Kem Kem Beds and Bahariya Formation.
Key Features of Onchopristis
1. Rostral Teeth (Saw-like Snout Spikes)
• The most recognizable fossils are their serrated, barbed teeth, which lined their long, saw-like snouts (rostrums).
• Unlike modern sawfish, their teeth were curved and barbed, making them more prone to breaking off.
• These teeth were used for hunting fish by slashing through schools of prey.
2. Large Size
• Estimated to reach lengths of 5–8 meters (16–26 feet), making it a significant predator in Cretaceous river systems.
3. Prehistoric Environment
• It lived in brackish and freshwater environments, similar to today’s sawfish.
• It shared its habitat with famous dinosaurs like Spinosaurus, which likely preyed on it. Some Spinosaurus fossils even have embedded Onchopristis teeth, suggesting they clashed in ancient waters. Fossil Discovery & Market
• Onchopristis teeth are common fossils, especially from Morocco’s Kem Kem Beds.
• They are popular among collectors because of their unique serrated structure and connection to Spinosaurus ecosystems.
• Most teeth found are fragmented or partial, but complete specimens are rarer and more valuable.
(BUSINESS & EDUCATIONAL SUPPLY ORDERS AVAILABLE)
Onchopristis was an extinct genus of sawfish that lived during the Cretaceous period (about 100 to 66 million years ago). It belonged to the family Sclerorhynchidae, a group of prehistoric relatives of modern sawfish and rays. Fossils of Onchopristis have been found in North Africa, the Middle East, and North America, with notable discoveries in Morocco, Niger, and Egypt—particularly in formations like the Kem Kem Beds and Bahariya Formation.
Key Features of Onchopristis
1. Rostral Teeth (Saw-like Snout Spikes)
• The most recognizable fossils are their serrated, barbed teeth, which lined their long, saw-like snouts (rostrums).
• Unlike modern sawfish, their teeth were curved and barbed, making them more prone to breaking off.
• These teeth were used for hunting fish by slashing through schools of prey.
2. Large Size
• Estimated to reach lengths of 5–8 meters (16–26 feet), making it a significant predator in Cretaceous river systems.
3. Prehistoric Environment
• It lived in brackish and freshwater environments, similar to today’s sawfish.
• It shared its habitat with famous dinosaurs like Spinosaurus, which likely preyed on it. Some Spinosaurus fossils even have embedded Onchopristis teeth, suggesting they clashed in ancient waters. Fossil Discovery & Market
• Onchopristis teeth are common fossils, especially from Morocco’s Kem Kem Beds.
• They are popular among collectors because of their unique serrated structure and connection to Spinosaurus ecosystems.
• Most teeth found are fragmented or partial, but complete specimens are rarer and more valuable.
(BUSINESS & EDUCATIONAL SUPPLY ORDERS AVAILABLE)