Champsosaurus The 'Forgotten' fossil ....they're everywhere! |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Champsosaurus was a Rhychocephalian reptile that resembles crocodilia in outward appearance. It flourished in the Late Cretaceous, survived the dinosaur extinction. The fossil record finds it well into the Paleocene. (Tyrell Museum display. photo by Rob Haan) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Edward Cope. One of last century's great fossil hunters established the genus Champsosaurus in 1876. Cope is best known as naming 'more dinosaurs' than any other paleontologist. Only his ego exceeded the size of some of his great fossil finds. Here he can be seen writing his entrance exams into the World Paleontological Society. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Champsosaurus teeth are rare finds. They are smaller and weaker than those of their crocodilian kin. Champsosaurus was likely an agile fish catcher. (photo x4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Scollard Formation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foremost Formation | Horseshoe Canyon Formation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Oldman Formation | Judith River Formation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hell Creek Formation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Champsosaurus vertebrae are the most common fossils found in the great 'Dinosaur Badlands' of Western North America. They are found in virtually all non-marine formations. These vertebrae are often exquisite in preservation. It is a mystery why Champsosaurus bones, other than vertebrae, are seldom found. (photos x2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dinosaur Park Formation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
These 3 specimens show the hourglass or 'double-Y' marking on the distal side. This is the marking that makes Champsosaurus vertebrae unmistakable from those of other vertebrates. (photos x2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Champsosaurus Ribs The only common Champsosaur fossils found other than vertebrae |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
More Champsosaurus | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Return to Cretaceous Room |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||