Allosaurus Tooth - Morrison Formation

This specimen is likely an Allosaurus tooth. Found in the Morrison formation of Colorado on December 7, 2024 by CS Sturm

Based on the physical characteristics shown in the images and the distinctive yellowish coloration typical of Morrison Formation fossils, this appears to be a fossilized tooth. The size and shape are consistent with those of an Allosaurus, one of the primary large theropod predators found in the Morrison Formation[10].

Physical Characteristics

The specimen exhibits several key features:

- Length: approximately 1.5 inches

- Width: 1 inch

- Blade-like shape

- Yellowish-brown coloration

- Fossilized preservation

Likely Identification

This specimen is most likely an Allosaurus tooth for several reasons:

- Allosaurus teeth were long and blade-like, matching the shape seen in the images[10]

- The size is consistent with Allosaurus dental remains commonly found in Morrison Formation quarries[10]

- The preservation style and coloration are typical of Morrison Formation fossils[7]

Context

Allosaurus was one of the most common large predators in the Morrison Formation, and their teeth and bones are found in almost every dinosaur quarry from this period[10]. The Morrison Formation, dating from the Late Jurassic period (approximately 156.3 to 146.8 million years ago), is known as the most fertile source of dinosaur fossils in North America[7].

If this identification is correct, this tooth would have been part of a predator that grew to approximately 30 feet in length and used these sharp, serrated teeth for cutting flesh[10].

Sources

[1] image.jpg https://pplx-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/v1733688289/user_uploads/erxsawlij/image.jpg

[2] image.jpg https://pplx-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/v1733688267/user_uploads/ncsnxzijw/image.jpg

[3] image.jpg https://pplx-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/v1733688246/user_uploads/hkbdplvqr/image.jpg

[4] image.jpg https://pplx-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/v1733688220/user_uploads/gdysxhfwp/image.jpg

[5] Bite and tooth marks on sauropod dinosaurs from the Morrison ... https://peerj.com/articles/16327/

[6] Morrison Formation - Dinosaur National Monument (U.S. National ... https://www.nps.gov/dino/learn/nature/morrison-formation.htm

[7] Morrison Formation - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morrison_Formation

[8] Article Spotlight: Bite and tooth marks on sauropod dinosaurs from ... https://peerj.com/blog/post/115284888595/article-spotlight-bite-and-tooth-marks-on-sauropod-dinosaurs-from-the-morrison-formation/

[9] List of dinosaurs of the Morrison Formation - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_dinosaurs_of_the_Morrison_Formation

[10] Fossils | Canon City, CO https://canoncity.org/633/Fossils

[11] About Dinosaur Teeth - FossilEra.com https://www.fossilera.com/pages/dinosaur-teeth