Items Similar to Giant Crocodile Fossil Wall Plate, Germany. 180 Million Years Old.
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 5
Giant Crocodile Fossil Wall Plate, Germany. 180 Million Years Old.
$455,676.99
£325,000
€386,152.08
CA$621,868.32
A$692,506.45
CHF 360,411.34
MX$8,538,521.06
NOK 4,590,114.10
SEK 4,314,262.28
DKK 2,881,173.63
Shipping
Retrieving quote...The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation
About the Item
This outstanding fossilised skeleton is that of the ancestral crocodile species Steneosaurus bollensis that lived during the early Jurassic period. The skeleton, complete with armoured plates, has been exquisitely preserved and recovered from the Holzmaden Oil Shale of south Germany.
The crocodile was once buried in fine, muddy sediment 195 million years ago at the bottom of the Tethys Ocean, which once existed between Europe and Africa. The calm, deep water provided a rare anoxic (without oxygen) environment, which prevented the skeleton from any significant decomposition before burial. The mud has since been compressed into oil shale, leaving the immense skeleton completely in-tact.
This specimen is one of the few skeletons of Steneosaurus bollensis ever to be discovered. We can deduce much about the life of this reptile from the size and perfect preservation of the piece. Similar to present-day crocodiles, we can see that the two front limbs of the Steneosaurus are much shorter than the back two. This indicates that crocodile ancestors were bipedal; indeed, we believe that crocodiles evolved from the same reptile species as the dinosaurs and airborne pterosaurs.
Dinosaurs ruled the lands during the late Triassic and early Jurassic. This made terrestrial life increasingly difficult for ancestral crocodiles, as there were many predators and prey was scarce. However, the seas were rich in fish, shellfish, starfish, crabs, squid… You can even see fossil belemnite guards (bullet shells of squid-like organisms) and the beautiful spiral shells of ammonites preserved around the crocodile skeleton!
And so, to exploit this food-rich environment, crocodiles moved into the water. We can tell that the Steneosaurus bollensus species was in the process of adapting to an aquatic environment: it could propel itself through the water with its tail, webbed back limbs and front paddles. Its fingers were becoming redundant (as a paddle is more effective in water), which explains why the finger bones in the front limbs are particularly short. We can even examine the nostrils on the end of this crocodile’s snout, showing that it still used its lungs and returned to land (or the water surface) to breathe.
The elegant toothed snout implies that this crocodile had a diet of fish and crustaceans. To protect itself from sharks, Stegosaurus bollensis evolved to have enlarged scales, imitating armoured plating. The numerous speckled rectangular plates in the specimen have been perfectly preserved in their original positions: on top of the reptile’s back and tail.
This vast, rare fossilised skeleton is a beautiful reminder of the success of reptiles during the Jurassic era. Its gentle curve imitates its elegant movement through the water, while the meticulous detail of the armoured plating allows us to understand the ubiquitous threat of dinosaurs and sharks.
- Dimensions:Height: 70.87 in (180 cm)Width: 125.99 in (320 cm)Depth: 2.17 in (5.5 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Jurassic 180 million Years Old
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:Seller: Croc/0011stDibs: LU9943859919
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Professional Seller
Every seller passes strict standards for authenticity and reliability
1stDibs seller since 2013
10 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: London, United Kingdom
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllUnited Kingdom Ammonite Fossil Plate
Located in London, GB
United Kingdom Ammonite plate.
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier British Wall-mounted Sculptures
Materials
Other
Exceptional & Rare Large Mounted Meteorite Slice
Located in London, GB
Rare Seymchan meteorites featuring the Wittmannstätten pattern are highly prized among collectors and meteorite enthusiasts due to their unique appearance and scientific significance...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Russian Natural Specimens
Materials
Iron, Nickel
Rare Triple Ammonite Bed from United Kingdom
By Dale Rogers Ammonite
Located in London, GB
Eparietites impendens is a notable ammonite species known for its distinctive shell features and its significance in the fossil record. This extinct marine mollusk belonged to the fa...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier British Natural Specimens
Materials
Stone
Rare Fossil Ammonite Cluster from Madagascar
By Dale Rogers Ammonite
Located in London, GB
Ammonites
High-quality ammonite fossils are prized by collectors and paleontologists alike for their intricate beauty and significant scientific value. Ammonites, cephalopods closel...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Malagasy Natural Specimens
Materials
Stone
Giant Ammonite Cluster from Madagascar
By Dale Rogers Ammonite
Located in London, GB
Rare ammonites from Madagascar are highly sought after by collectors and paleontologists due to their exceptional preservation and unique features. These marine mollusks, which thriv...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Malagasy Natural Specimens
Materials
Stone
Iridescent Ammonite wall plate
Located in London, GB
Ammonites are perhaps the most widely known fossil. These creatures lived in the seas between 240 - 65 million years ago, when they became extinct along with the dinosaurs.
This lar...
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British Collectibles and Curiosities
You May Also Like
Fossil Garial Crocodile
Located in Scorton, GB
A complete Fossil Garial Crocodile skull with original associated vertebrae. The bone tissue from this Dyrosaurus, now fossilised and preserved, exhibits distinct detail of the textu...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Prehistoric Natural Specimens
Materials
Limestone
Fossil Marine Mosasaur of The Cretaceous Period
Located in Scorton, GB
A wonderful example of a Cretaceous mosasaur. The original Halisaurus arambourgi mosasaur mandibles and vertebrae, measuring 2.9ft, include a well-preserved, near-complete skull, low...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier North African Prehistoric Natural Speci...
Materials
Limestone
Fossilised Skull of Prehistoric Marine Reptile the Mosasaur, 70Million Years Ago
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Upper Cretaceous, about 70-65 million years ago (Maastrichtian)
Morocco
The skull is reconstructed in good proportions with fossil pieces found in a phosphate mine in Morocco.
I att...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier African Natural Specimens
Materials
Bone
$20,943 Sale Price
40% Off
an Barasaurus Fossile
Located in Schellebelle, BE
An exceptional Fossil of an extinct reptile Barausaurus from Madagascar,
from the late Permian and early Triassic,
good patina and shine of the stone, nice detailing of the animal
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Natural Specimens
Materials
Stone
$2,226 / set
Giant Diplomytus and Cockerellites Fish Fossil Plate
Located in New York, NY
This large fossil plate is incredibly unique, featuring a long Diplomystus dentatus along with two Cockerellites (Priscacara) liops, fossilized in its natural matrix. The entire piec...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier American Natural Specimens
Materials
Other
Giant Diplomytus and Cockerellites Fish Fossil Plate
Located in New York, NY
This large fossil plate is incredibly unique, featuring a long Diplomystus dentatus along with two Cockerellites (Priscacara) liops, fossilized in its natural matrix. The entire piec...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier American Natural Specimens
Materials
Other
