This is an authentic caudal (tail) vertebra from a juvenile hadrosaur, recovered from the Hell Creek Formation of Montana. Dating to the Late Cretaceous (~68–66 million years ago), this specimen represents one of the duck-billed dinosaurs that dominated the river systems and coastal plains of North America in the final chapter of the Age of Dinosaurs.

Juvenile hadrosaur material is notably less common than adult specimens in the fossil record — young dinosaurs faced high predation pressure and their smaller, more delicate bones were less likely to survive the fossilization process intact. This vertebra measures 1.16 inches in length and has received no repairs or restoration, preserving its complete fossil integrity. The small size of this element reflects the early growth stage of the animal, offering a window into hadrosaur ontogeny that adult specimens cannot provide.

In the Hell Creek ecosystem, hadrosaurs like Edmontosaurus were among the most abundant large herbivores, forming a critical component of the food web that supported apex predators such as Tyrannosaurus rex. This vertebra once helped power the tail of a young dinosaur navigating that ancient world — a world that would end with the K-Pg mass extinction event.

Specimen Highlights:

• Type: Authentic juvenile hadrosaur caudal vertebra
• Dimensions: 1.16 inches long
• Condition: No repairs or restoration
• Provenance: Hell Creek Formation, Late Cretaceous (~68–66 million years ago), Montana
• Source: Acquired from a trusted paleontologist
• Authenticity Guarantee: 100% genuine dinosaur fossil

Feel free to reach out with any questions about this specimen or for additional photos. Ships securely packaged with care. Thank you for supporting ethical fossil collecting!