Description: ​CLASSIFICATION AND GENERAL INFORMATION ​Species: Elasmosaurus platyurus (Cope, 1868) ​Order: Plesiosauria ​Period: Late Cretaceous (Campanian, approx. 80.5 million years ago) ​Geographical Origin of Historical Specimens: North America (Western Interior Seaway, Pierre Shale Formation) ​Replica Dimensions: Length 25 cm (approx. 9.8 inches) Please note: The skull is shipped in 2 separate parts for safety. It can be easily assembled using the superglue provided in the package ​ANATOMICAL AND PALEONTOLOGICAL DETAILS This lot features a highly precise, scaled osteological replica of the skull of an Elasmosaurus, one of the most iconic and massive long-necked marine reptiles of the Mesozoic era. ​Cranial Morphology and Adaptation: The skull is characteristically small compared to the animal's overall body proportions, dorsoventrally compressed, and highly hydrodynamic. The sculpture faithfully reproduces the retracted nares (positioned high on the skull near the orbits) which facilitated surface breathing. ​Specialized Dentition: The standout feature of this skull is its spectacular needle-like dentition. The long, pointed, and forward-projecting anterior (premaxillary) teeth interlock perfectly with those of the lower jaw when closed. This specific morphology acted as a lethal, interlocking fish-trap, specifically evolved to capture slippery prey such as fish and cephalopods (squid), which formed the diet of this pelagic apex predator. ​MATERIALS AND TECHNICAL EXECUTION The replica is crafted from high-resolution polymer resin, capable of capturing every single dental alveolus and fine cranial suture. The surface finish is entirely hand-painted: layered pigments and acrylic wash techniques accurately replicate the appearance of fossilization and the taphonomy typical of genuine specimens extracted from the fossilized Cretaceous ocean floor. ​DISPLAY AND MOUNTING The specimen is securely anchored to a treated real wood display base, supported by invisible internal metal pins. This elegant mounting, complete with an identification plaque, gives the piece a professional and luxurious appearance. It is an ideal centerpiece for professional offices, cabinets of curiosities (Wunderkammer), or high-end natural history collections.