Pogonodon Fossil Skeleton. Pogonodon platycopis . Oligocene . Shannon County, South Dakota, USA. ... (Total: 2 Items)

Description

Pogonodon Fossil Skeleton
Pogonodon platycopis
Oligocene
Shannon County, South Dakota, USA

The Pogonodon is an extremely interesting, unusual, and rare variety of a primitive carnivore known as a nimravid. Endemic to North America, this type of creature is a "false" saber-toothed cat of sorts and can be compared to modern-day leopards and lions. These predators thrived during the Late Oligocene and then went extinct during the Miocene Epoch. This absolutely phenomenal specimen was discovered in South Dakota and represents Pogonodon platycopis. This fossil was collected off private ranch lands well over ten years ago, and the mounting was finished in 2017 after allowing the preparator to come up with the bones necessary to complete the specimen. The example consists of approximately 60 percent of bones from the original animal and some 10 percent more from other animals resulting in a composited piece with about 70 percent natural bone - a rather high percentage for any vertebrate skeleton. With larger cats, skulls are rare, let alone rather complete skeletons. The preparation of this wonderful fossil, which was as much a 'labor of love' as it was a scientific endeavor, took place over several years. Presented on a wooden base with the skull and lower jaw easily removable from the body mounting as separate pieces. Posed in a dramatic and dynamic position as though stalking some prey, this pogonodon looks rather ominous and has sizable canine teeth in its skull and blade-like ends to its claws. The skull is relatively large and simply looks powerful, with a massive aspect clearly indicative of a significant predator. This is one majestic beast that has been fully restored into an unparalleled museum quality specimen. The base is lined with a bluish blanketing and framed in light brown wood. A glass, not Plexiglas, top covering that is comprised of numerous panels can be assembled to cover and protect the specimen when on display. That cat itself measures nearly 60 inches (150 cm) in length, and the slight turn of the head as mounted gives the prehistoric hunter a lively and fluid appearance as though it were ready to attack its next meal.
Measurements: 59.25 x 21.00 x 12.00 inches (150.49 x 53.34 x 30.48 cm)

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