Mosasaurs are an extinct group of large marine reptiles. Their first fossil specemins were discovered in a limestone quarry at Maastricht on the Meuse in 1764. They probably evolved from a group of extinct aquatic lizards known as aigialosaurs in the Early Cretaceous. Mosasaurs were powerful swimmers, breathed air, and were well-adapted to living in the warm, shallow inland seas that were prevalent during the Late Cretaceous Period. Mosasaurs were so well-adapted to their environment that they gave birth to live young, as opposed to returning to the shore to lay eggs like sea turtles do. During the last 20 million years of the Cretaceous period, with the extinction of the ichthyosaurs and decline of plesiosaurs, mosasaurs rose to become the dominant marine predators. They went extinct as a result of the K-T event at the end of the Cretaceous period, approximately 66 million years ago. This authentic set of interlocking mosasaur teeth clearly shows how the teeth were attached to the rest of the mouth and jaw. The large size also allows for the fossil to be used as a highly unique and interesting office decoration or paperweight for the fan of geology and fossils. Makes a great addition to any fossil/rock/mineral collection, and looks excellent in the classroom. Have students pass it around and study its markings, and maybe draw what they imagine the creature might look like. Each set of teeth averages about six complete tooth specimen, though since every fossil is unique and natural, there may be more or less teeth in each specific specimen
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