Nanotyrannus lancensis Tooth-Montana

 Taxa: Nanotyrannus lancensis

Geology: Hell Creek formation

Age: Cretaceous-Maastrichtian

Locality: Garfield County, Montana

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Nanotyrannus

A Nanotyrannus tooth is a small, serrated theropod tooth believed to belong to a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex or a distinct genus of small tyrannosaurid. It is typically slender, recurved, and laterally compressed, with fine serrations along the edges. These teeth are often found in Late Cretaceous deposits of North America and are debated among paleontologists regarding their classification.

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.