{"product_id":"juvenile-hadrosaur-caudal-vertebra-1-16-hell-creek-formation-montana","title":"Juvenile Hadrosaur Caudal Vertebra – 1.16\" – Hell Creek Formation, Montana","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is an authentic \u003cstrong\u003ecaudal (tail) vertebra from a juvenile hadrosaur\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJuvenile 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 \u003cstrong\u003e1.16 inches\u003c\/strong\u003e in length and has received \u003cstrong\u003eno repairs or restoration\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the Hell Creek ecosystem, hadrosaurs like \u003cem\u003eEdmontosaurus\u003c\/em\u003e were among the most abundant large herbivores, forming a critical component of the food web that supported apex predators such as \u003cem\u003eTyrannosaurus rex\u003c\/em\u003e. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecimen Highlights:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Authentic juvenile hadrosaur caudal vertebra\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.16 inches long\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e No repairs or restoration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hell Creek Formation, Late Cretaceous (~68–66 million years ago), Montana\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSource:\u003c\/strong\u003e Acquired from a trusted paleontologist\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAuthenticity Guarantee:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100% genuine dinosaur fossil\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeel 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!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Jurassic Outpost","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51212401443063,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0930\/8835\/0455\/files\/IMG_9755.jpg?v=1790322973","url":"https:\/\/www.thejurassicoutpost.com\/products\/juvenile-hadrosaur-caudal-vertebra-1-16-hell-creek-formation-montana","provider":"The Jurassic Outpost","version":"1.0","type":"link"}