Nanotyrannus lancensis Premaxillary Tooth-Montana

 Taxa: Nanotyrannus lancensis

Geology: Hell Creek formation

Age: Cretaceous-Maastrichtian

Locality: Garfield County, Montana

 No repairs or restorations.

Nanotyrannus

A Nanotyrannus premaxillary tooth is a small, recurved tooth located at the front of the upper jaw. It is typically D-shaped in cross-section, with fine serrations along the edges, similar to other tyrannosaurids. These teeth are more rounded compared to the laterally compressed teeth found further back in the jaw. Their identification is debated, as some paleontologists consider Nanotyrannus a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex rather than a distinct genus.

Hell Creek formation

The Hell Creek Formation is a geologic formation in North America, primarily spanning Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. It dates to the Late Cretaceous period, around 66 million years ago, and is famous for its rich fossil record, including dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, and Edmontosaurus. It also contains evidence of the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) extinction event, including an iridium layer associated with the asteroid impact that contributed to the mass extinction of non-avian dinosaurs. The formation also preserves fossils of plants, mammals, fish, and reptiles, providing valuable insights into prehistoric ecosystems.