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Kansas Chalk FossilsPaleoSearch is happy to offer some unique Cretaceous Fossils from the famous
Chalk Beds of Kansas for your consideration. Our newest Items are listed first. *Special Discounts Offered to Institutions & Museums on these Specimens* Shipping Charges on all Kansas Chalk Fossils to be determined based
on crated weight and destination. Click on the images for larger pictures
and more information on each item. |
More Information |
Cretoxyrhina mantelli “Complete Fossil Shark”
Cretaceous (83 million years old)
Niobrara Formation/Smoky Hill Chalk
Gove County, Kansas, USA
Specifications Length: 25 feet (7.7 meters)
Panel Size: 8 ft. tall, 16 ft. long
Tooth Size: Average 2” long
Soft-tissue preservation:
Skull, Pectoral and Anal Fin, plus stomach contents.
Number of vertebrae: 226
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Comments: Specimen represents the largest known, complete fossil shark yet discovered from any geological age. It has been mounted as discovered. Specimen collected on private, deeded land. All documentation, GPS data, and discovery site photos supplied to purchaser. Specimen to be shipped in four sections. Permanent exhibit presentation depicted in photo.
Stock #3657
Price upon request
Please call 785-650-4854 for additional details. |
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Complete gigantic bi-valve, 45” tall and 40” across (measured diagonally, from hinge to distal point). The perimeter of the shell measures over 10 feet. Specimen contains both the dorsal and ventral valves. Plus, the oyster displays two pathological injuries that occurred early in its life cycle. One injury (7" long) occurred when the oyster was about the size of a serving platter and the other injury (4" long) happened when it was about half its current size. The appearance of these injuries confirms that mollusks duplicate scars to their shell (pathologicals) with each succeeding growth cycle. Also, this STUNNING specimen displays hundreds of clearly defined rings; each one resembling the growth ring in a tree. Clearly defined areas of color variation are also present; these could be the RARE preservation of its "in-life" appearance. Several small colonies of the rudist, Pseudoperna congesta, are attached to the shell.
Scientists have determined that these giant oysters grew very large and thin in order to spread their weight over a larger area and allow them to "float" upon the aqueous ocean bottom; the "soupy" sediment could not support heavy invertebrates. This evolutionary adaptation has been termed the "snowshoe effect". Specimen has been prepared "as discovered" and rests in its refined field jacket. Some small fracture repair with very minimal restoration. Preservation is OUTSTANDING!
Weight is approximately 100 lbs. Custom wood crate included. Shipping by truck or air freight only.
Stock #4236
Price upon request
Please call 785-650-4854 for additional details. |
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Large fish skull (profile) and post cranial bones from an extinct predatory fish , on matrix, 40 1/2” wide and 24 1/2” tall. Skull measures 34” long and 19” tall. Lower jaw measures 12 1/2” long. Approximate weight is 45 pounds. Estimated length of entire fish would have been approximately twelve (12) feet.
Skull is three-dimensional and has substantial depth and relief (lots of peaks, valleys, and ridges). There are a total of thirty-six (36) teeth of various sizes (most are in EXCELLENT condition), plus fourteen (14) cervical and dorsal vertebrae with ribs.
The largest tooth is 1 3/4” long. The cranial crest is present and articulated. All skeletal elements exhibit superb texture and detail. Trauma (disarticulated vertebrae and ribs) in the posterior area of the skull indicates that sharks and other scavengers most likely ate the body of the fish.
This is an exciting and striking display fossil of the largest fish species (except sharks) that ever roamed the prehistoric Cretaceous seaway! Specimen has mounting hardware installed on the back side and is 100% ready for a wall mount. Spectacular exhibit or decorator fossil!
Price upon request – Please call 785-650-4854 for additional details.
Stock #4217
Price Upon Request
Please call 785-650-4854 for additional information
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Large colony of at least 24 crinoid calyxes with long massive arms. Colony is in excellent condition with great detail. Matrix measures 34” x 30” x 1 1/2” thick; the largest crinoid measures 2 1/2” across. Smallest measures 1 1/4” across. Uintacrinus is the rarest invertebrate from the chalk beds and possibly one of the rarest of all described species from the chalk formation. Only one zone (several inches thick), out of over 800 feet of chalk sediment, produces these crinoids. This is a wonderful and historical Kansas chalk fossil!
Stock #4228
SOLD
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Marine reptile skull (profile), with four (4) cervical vertebrae. Skull measures 24 1/2” long and 10” tall, on chalk matrix, 45” x 21”. There are 26 teeth in the upper and lower jaws, with 6 pterygoids (throat teeth). Most are in excellent condition. The lower jaw displays a pathological anomaly – a seed tooth has exited through the jaw bone at a right angle to its normal growth pattern. It is apparent that this would have caused the animal a great amount of discomfort!
From the nose to the final vertebrae, the specimen measures 36” long. Skull is presented in a life-like position and has substantial relief with matrix. Bone is in excellent condition, with SUPERB detail! Estimated length of this marine reptile would have been approximately eighteen (18) feet. Specimen is designed as a wall mount and is 100% ready to hang on the wall. A wonderful dynamic decorator or exhibit specimen!
Stock #4227
Price Upon Request
Please call 785-650-4854 for additional information
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Large, complete skeleton of a Cretaceous predator fish, measuring 6 feet (72”) long, on matrix, 80” x 25”. The skull measures 12” long and is 100% complete, with substantial depth and relief. All four (4) jaws are present and contain sixty-six (66) teeth (most in EXCELLENT condition)! Left pectoral fin is 11 1/2 inches long and 3-dimensional. Tail fin spread is 19 1/2 inches. The large cranial crest, which is characteristic of the Ichthyodectes, is well defined and dimensional. Skeleton consists of 90% real bone. Restoration is limited to some of the ribs, plus the anal and dorsal fin. The bone quality and texture on the entire skeleton is PRISTINE!
Complete skeletons of large fossil fish in the Niobrara are extremely rare due to the large number of sharks and other scavengers present in the prehistoric ocean. The Ichthyodectid genus includes another similar and well-known Kansas fish, the Xiphactinus audax, which grew to lengths of up to eighteen (18) feet. This exciting and striking display fossil is engineered for a wall-mount and is 100% ready for display.
Stock #4215
PRICE UPON REQUEST - Please call or email for details!
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Articulated upper cranium and partial maxillary from an adult Pteranodon. All elements display EXCELLENT detail and preservation. Bone elements have substantial relief from surrounding matrix. Skull: 20 1/2" long, 4 1/2" tall, Natural matrix: 26" long, 11" tall
Stock #4058
SOLD! |
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Saurodon "Skull of a rare and exotic fish"
Cretaceous (83 m.y.o.)
Niobrara Formation
Smoky Hill Chalk
Gove County, Kansas, USA
Extremely rare and bizarre predatory fish skull from the Cretaceous of Kansas. The skull is in excellent condition and measures 19" long and 10" tall. The generous slab of matrix measures 31" x 14" x 1" thick. Unlike it's contemporary cousin, the swordfish Protsphyraena, Saurodon has an unusual predentary that is triangular and pointed. This bone was obviously used as an offensive weapon. Dozens of small teeth are present in the maxillary and the dentary. Bone texture is superb. Skull bones are three dimensional and have substantial relief from matrix. 100% ready for a wall mount. A rare discovery!
#3839
Price available upon request -- Please call for more details! |
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RARE wing, with scapula-coracoid, from a Cretaceous pterosaur, on matrix, 81" long (straight line) x 16" at its widest point. Overall length of the COMPLETE wing is 80" along curvature. Bone preservation and detail is superb!! All three claws, plus six small digits are articulated and REAL (original to the specimen and NOT restored)! This is EXTREMELY UNIQUE, as these small bones and claws are rarely discovered with the wing. Restoration is less than 1% and is limited to only one of the rarely preserved tendons. All points of articulation are dimensional and well-defined. A pterosaur of this size would have had an overall wing spread of approximately 14 1/2 feet. To maintain strength and durability of the specimen, it has been mounted on simulated matrix (3/4" thick); however, the matrix surface is covered with a very natural-looking actual chalk veneer. Specimen is very strong and durable and 100% ready for a wall mount. Hanging hardware has been installed on the back side. Awesome decorator and display specimen!
Stock #4179
SOLD!
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Monster marine reptile skull, (profile) with two (2) cervical vertebrae. Skull measures 37" long and 21" tall, on chalk matrix, 54" x 27". Overall length of specimen is 45". Lower jaw measures 36 1/2". There are 31 teeth in the upper and lower jaws, including the pterygoids (throat teeth).
Stock #3906
SOLD!
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Prorosphyraena recurvostris
Cretaceous (82 m.y.o.)
Niobrara Formation
Smoky Hill Chalk
Gove County, Kansas, USA
Upper jaw (maxillary) from an ancestorial swordfish, 3 1/2" long and 1 1/4" at widest end. Jaw contains 5 teeth, 3 are in excellent condition; average length is .75". Protosphyraena is a rare and bizarre prehistoric fish!
#3850
SOLD! |
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Lower jaw with twenty (20) teeth, 3" long and 1" wide. Eight (8) of the teeth are in PRISTINE condition! This rare little fish jaw is from a bizarre type of predator fish. Interesting and showy!
Stock #3908
SOLD!
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Gigantic Oyster, 43" tall x 39" across. BEAUTIFUL specimen with numerous small rudist: Pseudoperna congesta. Preservation is OUTSTANDING! Specimens of this size and quality are almost unheard of in the fossil record!! Specimen contains hundreds of clearly defined growth rings! These rings, of variable thickness, resemble the growth rings in a tree trunk. They vary from 7 to 15 rings per inch. Specimen weighs approximately 65 pounds and has been engineered for wall mount. Custom wood crate included. Shipping by truck freight only.
Stock #3937
SOLD!
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Complete flying reptile wing bone (Phalanx III), 8 7/8" long and 7/8" wide at widest point. This RARE wing bone is in EXCELLENT condition and has wonderful detail. Pteranodon bones were hollow in life, making their bone mass substantially smaller than other vertebrates. The back side of the bone has been stabilized. Wing span of this animal would have been approximately 14-16 feet.
Stock #3970
SOLD!
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Complete wing bone (Phalanx II), 14" long. Specimen is 1 1/2" at widest end. Very rare remains -- this flying reptile would have had a wing span of approximately 16 feet. Reinforced on back side for stability. Wonderful representation of this exciting Kansas pterosaur!
Stock #3899
SOLD!
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Xiphactinus audax
Cretaceous (82 m.y.o.)
Niobrara Formation
Smoky Hill Chalk
Gove County, Kansas, USA
Huge upper jaw (includes premaxillary) with 16 teeth, all in excellent condition. Jaw is 12.5" long and 3 3/4" at widest end. Largest tooth is 2" long. Xiphactinus is the world's largest known genus of bony fish. Specimen comes with a line drawing showing bone position. Stock #3849
SOLD! |
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Large rostrum "sword" from an ancestral Marlin, 8 1/2" long. Large tooth measures 1" long. Excellent representation of this bizarre fish! Very unusual!
Stock #3896
SOLD!
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Huge Oyster shell, 21" x 24", on matrix, 27" x 27". Shell is in EXCELLENT condition and has some encrustation of rudist: Pseudoperna congesta. Both upper and lower sides (valves) are present. Complete specimens are very RARE!
Stock #3882
SOLD!
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Xiphactinus audax
Cretaceous (82 m.y.o.)
Niobrara Formation
Smoky Hill Chalk
Gove County, Kansas, USA
Massive lower jaw, 100% complete, in PRISTINE condition! Jaw measures 15" long and 5" across at widest end. Longest tooth is 2 1/4" long. Specimen comes from a 17' fish, which was close to maximum size for the species. There are a total of 13 teeth - all in excellent condition. Xiphactinus is the world's largest known genus of bony fish. Specimen comes with a skull line drawing showing bone position.
#3848
SOLD!
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Pteranodon longiceps
Cretaceous (82 m.y.o.)
Niobrara Formation
Smoky Hill Chalk
Gove County, Kansas, USA
Huge Pterosaur wing bone (humerus), 8" long and 2 1/4" wide. Bone is 80% complete and has excellent preservation. Distal articulation is inflated and lifelike. Super detail! Specimen comes with skeletal line drawing showing bone location.
Stock #3845
SOLD!
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Mosasaurus conodon (?)Cretaceous (82 m.y.o.)
Campanian/Santonian Boundary
Niobrara Formation
Gove County, Kansas, USA
Rare Mosasaur skeleton, in original plaster collecting jacket, 58" long and 36" wide. Specimen consists of skull, cervical vertebrae series, several dorsal vertebrae and ribs, scapula-coracoid, and large bones of the front paddle. Exact genus and species is yet to be determined. It may be the earliest known M. conodon from the Niobrara; it may also be a transitional form of Clidastes. Anterior section of the lower jaw is 17 3/4" long; posterior section is 12" long. The lower jaw has 16+ teeth and the upper jaw has 14 teeth.
This partial skeleton is an ideal specimen for research and/or display.
#SD3856
SOLD!
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 Uintacrinus
socialis
"Colony of
stemless crinoids"
Cretaceous
Niobrara Formation
Smoky Hill Chalk
Gove County, Kansas
Impressive slab of 7+ crinoid calyxes; two have arms 4” to 6”
long. Colony is in excellent condition with good detail. Matrix
measures 31" wide x 23" tall. Uintacrinus is the rarest invertebrate
from the chalk beds and possibly one of the rarest of all described
species from the chalk formation. Only one zone produces these
crinoids out of over 800 feet of chalk sediment. This is a wonderful
and historically significant Kansas chalk fossil.
#3496
SOLD!
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 Pteranodon
longiceps
"Complete pterosaur wing"
Cretaceous (83-88 m.y.o.)
Niobrara Formation
Smoky Hill Chalk
Gove County, Kansas
RARE wing from a Cretaceous pterosaur, on matrix, 71" long x
15" at its widest point. Overall length of the complete wing is 76"
along curvature. Bone preservation and detail is superb!!
Ninety-five percent of the bone area is a composite of two
individual specimens. (Diagram showing bone layout is available).
All points of articulation are dimensional and well-defined. A
pterosaur of this size would have had an overall wing spread of
approximately 13 1/2 feet. To maintain strength and durability of
the specimen, it has been mounted on simulated matrix (3/4" thick);
however, the matrix surface is covered with a very natural-looking
actual chalk veneer. Specimen is very strong and durable and 100%
ready for a wall mount. Hanging hardware has been installed on the
back side. Awesome decorator and display specimen!
#PS3503
SOLD!
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 Saurodon
"Exotic Kansas fish"
Cretaceous
Niobrara Formation
Smoky Hill Chalk
Gove County, Kansas
Extremely rare and bizarre predatory fish skull from the Cretaceous of Kansas. The skull is in excellent condition and measures 15" long and 9" tall. The generous slab of matrix measures 23" x 15" x 1" thick. Unlike it's contemporary cousin, the swordfish Protsphyraena, Saurodon has an unusual predentary that is triangular and pointed. This bone was obviously used as an offensive weapon. Dozens of small teeth are present in the maxillary and the dentary. Bone texture is superb. Skull bones are three dimensional and have substantial relief from matrix. 100% ready for a wall mount. A rare discovery and first time offering!
#PS3324
SOLD! |
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Large, complete skeleton of a Cretaceous predator fish, measuring 6 feet (72") long, on matrix, 83" x 33". The skull is 100% complete, with substantial depth and relief. All four (4) jaws are present and contain 88 teeth (most in EXCELLENT condition)! The large cranial crest, which is characteristic of the Ichthyodectids, is well-defined and dimensional. The left upper jaw displays a healed injury (pathological). Skeleton consists of 90% real bone and weighs approximately 150 lbs. Complete skeletons of large fossil fish in the Niobrara are extremely rare due to the large number of sharks and other scavengers present in the prehistoric ocean. The Ichthyodectid genus includes another similar and well known Kansas fish, the Xiphactinus audax, which grew to lengths of up to 18 feet.
This exciting and striking display fossil is engineered for a wall-mount and is 100% ready for display! A custom wood crate is included for safe shipment to any address in the world!
Stock #3964
SOLD!
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 Pteranodon longiceps
Cretaceous
Niobrara Formation
Smoky Hill Chalk
Gove County, Kansas
Extremely RARE pteranodon claw,
7/8" long (straight line). Claw measures 1" along the curvature. Absolutely no repair or restoration. Superb detail right down to the needle-like tip!
#PS3214
SOLD -- Please inquire about similar specimens.
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 Platecarpus cf. planifrons
(possible new species)
“Mosasaur skull
with some post cranial elements”
Cretaceous (83 m.y.o.)
Niobrara Formation/Smoky Hill Chalk
Gove County, Kansas, USA
First time offering of an extremely rare species of Mosasaur.
The famous paleontologist, Professor Edward D. Cope, first described
this gracile species, Platecarpus planifrons, in 1875. Although
Mosasaurs are fairly common in the Cretaceous period throughout the
world (in the past two hundred years, literally thousands of
individual specimens have been discovered), only a handful of
Platecarpus planifrons discoveries have been reported.
One of the identifying features of this species is the long and
slender teeth, with pronounced faceted ridges on the enamel. It also
has fewer teeth per jaw than the more common variety, Platecarpus
coryphaeus.
This specimen consists of the skull (70-80% complete), the
atlas-axis and cervical vertebrae, plus approximately eight (8)
dorsal vertebrae and a few cervical ribs. Some of the remains have
been removed from matrix using the air-abrasive technique. Others,
including the jaws, have been surface prepared and left in their
original matrix.
Preservation and bone detail is exceptional! Muscle attachment
points, nerve and vein openings, plus numerous predatory shark tooth
marks, are all extremely well preserved.
This specimen is one of the best candidates for research that we
have seen in the Niobrara. Therefore, we are restricting the
purchase to an institution that will be a permanent repository for
the specimen, or to an individual willing to donate the specimen to
such an institution.
The purchaser will be supplied with a photographic record of the
excavation, exact stratigraphic data, GPS coordinates, and Section,
Township and Range. The specimen was collected on deeded, private
land with written landowner authorization.
SOLD!
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 Xiphactinus
audax
Cretaceous (83-85 m.y.o.)
Niobrara Formation/Smoky Hill Chalk
Gove County, Kansas
GIGANTIC fish skull (profile) and post cranial bones from an
extinct predatory fish, on matrix, 42" x 27 1/2". Skull measures
35 1/2" long and 22" tall. Lower jaw measures 13 1/2" long.
Approximate weight is 75 pounds. Estimated length of entire fish
would have been approximately 14 feet. Skull is 3-dimensional and
has substantial depth and relief (lots of peaks, valleys and
ridges). There are a total of 33 REAL teeth. Largest tooth is 2
1/4"; two (2) other large teeth range from 2" long to 2 1/8" long.
ALL are in excellent condition! There are seven (7) large cervical
vertebrae. Cranial elements exhibit superb texture and detail.
Trauma in the posterior area of the skull (evidenced by
disarticulated vertebrae) indicates that sharks and other scavengers
most likely ate the body of the fish. Minimal restoration with only
minor cosmetic repairs! This is an exciting and striking display
fossil of the largest fish species (except sharks) that ever roamed
the prehistoric Cretaceous seaway! Specimen has mounting hardware
installed on the back side and is 100% ready for a wall mount.
UNIQUE exhibit and decorator fossil!
Price upon request
Call 785-625-2240.
#3704
SOLD! - Please inquire about similar specimens.
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 Mosasaur: Platecarpus coryphaeus
“Marine reptile skull (profile) with cervical vertebrae”
Cretaceous (83 m.y.o.), Niobrara Formation, Smoky Hill Chalk
Gove County, Kansas, USA
Marine reptile skull, (profile) with five (5) cervical vertebrae.
Skull measures 22” long and 10” tall, on chalk matrix, 37” x 16”.
There are 29 teeth in the upper and lower jaws, including the
pterygoids (throat teeth). Most are in excellent condition. Skull is
presented in a ferocious, life-like position and has substantial
relief with matrix. Bone is in excellent condition with superb
detail! Estimated length of this marine reptile would have been
approximately 16-18 feet. Specimen is designed to be displayed as a
wall mount with hanging hardware pre-installed on the back side. A
very dynamic decorator or exhibit specimen!
#3707
SOLD!
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 Mosasaur:
Platecarpus coryphaeus
“Marine reptile
skull and partial skeleton”
Cretaceous (83 m.y.o.), Niobrara Formation,
Smoky Hill Chalk
Gove County, Kansas, USA
Partial marine reptile skeleton; includes the complete skull,
all articulated cervical vertebrae (7), 12dorsal vertebrae, and 20
complete ribs. The specimen also includes one complete shoulder
girdle and 50% of the right front swimming paddle. Skull measures
21” long and 11” wide at the quadrates. The plaster jacket measures
72” long and 31” at its widest point. Approximate weight is 125
pounds. There are numerous teeth in the upper and lower jaws. Most
are in excellent condition. Many pre- and post-mortem features are
evident on the skeleton, including two Squalicorax shark shed teeth
embedded in areas of prior fleshy tissue, numerous shark tooth bite
marks on the ribs and scapula-coracoid and an area of preserved
stomach contents (fish bones and mosasaur tooth). Several of the
partial ribs have been bitten in half. Specimen also displays
several areas of soft-tissue preservation, including the cartilage
that attached the shoulder girdle to the skeleton and connected the
ribs at the sternum. Bone is in excellent condition with superb
detail! Estimated length of this marine reptile would have been
approximately 16-18 feet. Specimen is presented “as
discovered” in its natural chalk matrix; no restoration or
rearranging of the skeletal components! A very dynamic decorator or
exhibit specimen that tells a story of life and death in the
Cretaceous seaway! Designed to be displayed as a wall mount with
hanging hardware pre-installed on the back side.
#3711
SOLD! |
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