S504 - Top Huge Ouranosaurus nigeriensis Basal Hadrosaurid Dinosaur Tooth - Cretaceous Elrhaz Fm

Observations about our specimen: Truly huge adult unusual size. Nicely developed feeding wear. No restorations or repairs. An authentic Ouranosaurus tooth masterpiece. Enamel color its aoustanding as well, showing green colors crossed by microfractures mineralized in iron oxide.

Ouranosaurus nigeriensis is a 7–8 meter (23–27 ft) long, herbivorous dinosaur that lived in Niger during the Early Cretaceous (Aptian stage, ~110–125 million years ago). Named in 1976 by Philippe Taquet, this ornithopod is distinct for the long, sail-like or hump-like structure along its back, likely used for thermoregulation or display. 

Key Facts About Ouranosaurus:
Discovery: Two nearly complete skeletons were discovered in 1965 and 1970 in the Gadoufaoua deposits (Elrhaz Formation) in the Agadez region of Niger.

Physical Features: It had a flat, duck-like snout, a stiff back with long neural spines forming a sail, a long, deep tail, and a mix of bipedal/quadrupedal features.

Classification: Initially classified as an iguanodontian, it is currently recognized as a basal hadrosauriform.

Habitat: It inhabited a wet, fluvial environment (rivers and floodplains) alongside predators like Suchomimus and Eocarcharia.

Weight: Estimated to weigh between 2.2 and 4 metric tons. 

Unique Characteristics
The Sail/Hump: The spines on its back were high, particularly over the arms, leading to debates on whether it held a, skin sail (like Spinosaurus) or a, fat-filled hump (like a camel).
"Brave" Name: The name means "brave lizard" in local dialects and the Greek word for lizard.

Unique Features: Unlike other iguanodonts, its fifth finger was not prehensile.