{"product_id":"theropod-claw","title":"Theropod Claw","description":"\u003ch2 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eTheropod Foot Claw Fossil from the Elrhaz Formation\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOwn a genuine piece of prehistoric history with this authentic \u003cstrong\u003eTheropod ungual foot claw fossil\u003c\/strong\u003e from the Elrhaz Formation of Niger. Dating to the Early Cretaceous Period approximately 112 million years ago, this distinctive specimen represents a fossilized claw from the foot of a theropod dinosaur.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis exceptional specimen is presented on the custom-built display stand pictured, featuring a 4 × 4 × 2-inch wooden base. With the claw mounted on the stand, the complete display measures approximately 5.75 inches tall, creating an attractive, museum-style presentation ready for display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fossilized claw measures approximately 0.75 inches long and preserves the characteristic curved form of a theropod ungual. Unguals are the terminal bones of the digits that supported the keratinous claws in life. While the exact species represented by this specimen cannot be reliably determined, its theropod identification and anatomical form make it a fascinating example of predatory dinosaur anatomy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe specimen presents beautifully on its custom display and offers an opportunity to own an authentic dinosaur fossil from one of Africa's important Early Cretaceous fossil-bearing formations. Its compact size, recognizable anatomy, and distinctive provenance make it an excellent addition to a dinosaur fossil collection, educational collection, museum display, or natural history collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA detailed provenance portfolio and Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this specimen, providing documentation regarding the fossil's identification, geologic formation, age, and available provenance information.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecimen Details:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIdentification:\u003c\/strong\u003e Theropod dinosaur\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecimen:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pedal ungual (foot claw)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Elrhaz Formation\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLocation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Niger\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge:\u003c\/strong\u003e Early Cretaceous, approximately 112 million years old\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClaw Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 0.75 inches long\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDisplay Height:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 5.75 inches tall with stand\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDisplay Stand:\u003c\/strong\u003e Custom-built stand with 4 × 4 × 2-inch wooden base\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance Portfolio Included:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCertificate of Authenticity Included:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthenticity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Guaranteed\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis is a genuine fossil. Pictures are of the actual specimen and custom display stand you will receive.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout Theropod Dinosaurs\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheropods were a diverse group of primarily bipedal dinosaurs that included some of the most recognizable predators in prehistoric history. They ranged tremendously in size and inhabited ecosystems around the world for more than 150 million years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the defining characteristics of theropods was their specialized limbs and claw-bearing digits. The terminal bones of these digits, known as unguals, supported keratinous claw sheaths in life that extended beyond the fossilized bone itself. Depending on the animal, these claws could have served a variety of functions associated with locomotion, prey interaction, defense, or other behaviors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause isolated theropod fossils are not always diagnostic to genus or species, specimens such as this are most appropriately identified based on the anatomical characteristics that can be reliably observed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout the Elrhaz Formation\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Elrhaz Formation of Niger is an important Early Cretaceous fossil-bearing formation dating to approximately 112 million years ago. It is particularly well known for preserving a diverse assemblage of dinosaurs and other vertebrates that inhabited northern Africa during the Cretaceous Period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe formation has produced fossils representing several notable dinosaurs, including the large theropod Suchomimus, the unusual theropod Eocarcharia, and herbivorous dinosaurs such as Ouranosaurus and Lurdusaurus, along with crocodilians, turtles, fish, and other prehistoric animals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFossils from the Elrhaz Formation provide an extraordinary glimpse into the ecosystems of Early Cretaceous Africa and the diverse animals that inhabited the region more than 100 million years ago.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003ca title=\"Contact Us\" href=\"https:\/\/1384c8-80.myshopify.com\/pages\/contact\"\u003eContact Us\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e I \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Shipping\" href=\"https:\/\/1384c8-80.myshopify.com\/pages\/shipping-and-pick-up\"\u003eShipping\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e I \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Returns\" href=\"https:\/\/1384c8-80.myshopify.com\/pages\/return-policy\"\u003eReturns\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e I \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Authenticity\" href=\"https:\/\/1384c8-80.myshopify.com\/pages\/authenticity\"\u003eAuthenticity\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tyrannostorus","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46590740168900,"sku":null,"price":649.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0663\/9956\/8068\/files\/TheropodClaw1.jpg?v=1787970789","url":"https:\/\/tyrannostorus.com\/products\/theropod-claw","provider":"Tyrannostorus","version":"1.0","type":"link"}