Clidastes a Mosasaur, complete skeleton

This is a Prehistoric Planet original discovery. Our paleontologist discovered, escavated, prepared and mounted this virtually complete Cladastes, Mososaur, skeleton in 2001. It was discovered in the Pierre Shale Formation, late Cretaceous (74-83 million years) near Chadron, Nebraska.

This specimen is missing only three to four vertebra from the distal portion of the tail and three phalanges from one paddle. It is otherwise a very rare complete specimen. The original specimen was donated to and is on exhibit at the Elachee Nature Center, Gainesville, GA.

Clidastes is an extinct genus of marine lizard belonging to the mosasaur family. Clidastes means "locked vertebrae”. This refers to how the vertebral processes allow the proximal heads of the vertebrae to interlock for stability and strength during swimming. Clidastes was the one of the smallest of the mosasaurs (the smallest known being Dallasaurus), averaging 2–4 meters (6.6–13.1 ft) in length, with the largest specimens reaching 6.2 meters (20 feet) long. The skull offered here was from a 15 foot specimen.. Even though the vertebrae lock together, the living animal would have still had a range of motion in the horizontal plane that is sufficient to allow for the high quality of swimming in shallow waters. Additionally the strengthening of the tail, and entire backbone, allowed for muscle attachments to help it swimming. It possessed a delicate and slim form with an expansion of the neural spines and chevrons near the tip of the tail and this enabled it to chase down the fastest of prey. 



Related Items:

Keichousaurus hui, marine reptile
Keichousaurus hui, marine reptile   $199.00
Trionyx, Giant Green River Fossil Turtle
Trionyx, Giant Green River Fossil Turtle   $3,500.00
Keichousaurus hui, marine reptile
Keichousaurus hui, marine reptile   $42.00
Dimetrodon skeleton
Dimetrodon skeleton   $3,500.00
Stylemys nebrascensis, Tortoise/Turtle
Stylemys nebrascensis, Tortoise/Turtle   $120.00
Mesosaurus, Permian Freshwater Reptile
Mesosaurus, Permian Freshwater Reptile   $48.00
Stylemys nebrascensis (fossil tortoise/turtle)
Stylemys nebrascensis (fossil tortoise/turtle)   $250.00
Chisternon undatum (turtle & fish) Green River Formation
Chisternon undatum (turtle & fish) Green River Formation   $600.00
Procaimanoidea, Green River, Alligator Skeleton
Procaimanoidea, Green River, Alligator Skeleton   $302.00



Clidastes a Mosasaur, complete skeleton 

resin and fiberglas
15 feet by 4 feet
Item 800 

Category: Replicas
Type: Skeletons
Phylum: Vertebrates
Class: Reptiles

$4,000.00 

USA Shipping: $450.00
Plus $3.90 handling per order

Share this page:



MORE PHOTOS:

Clidastes a Mosasaur, complete skeleton

Clidastes a Mosasaur, complete skeleton

Clidastes a Mosasaur, complete skeleton



Now over 1,000 items!

Now Over 1,000 Items!

PrehistoricStore.com offers the largest selection of replica fossils and other fossil-related products anywhere in the world!

Download a Full Catalog (3MB PDF)
OVER 260 PAGES OF REPLICAS AND MORE!




Special Offers:
Dinosaur Safari: Dig and Keep Real Dinosaur Bones