{"product_id":"rare-ricardoestesia-tooth-judith-river-formation-river-walkers-minerals","title":"Rare Ricardoestesia Tooth- Judith River Formation | River Walkers Minerals","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Species\u003c\/strong\u003e: Ricardoestesia sp. (commonly attributed to R. gilmorei)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge\u003c\/strong\u003e: Late Cretaceous (~76–74 million years old)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLocale\u003c\/strong\u003e: Judith River Formation, Montana, USA 🇺🇸 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize\u003c\/strong\u003e: 12.7 x 6.2 x 4 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis tiny but fascinating tooth comes from the famous Judith River Formation and dates to roughly 76–74 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous. Teeth attributed to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRicardoestesia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e are among the most intriguing fossils from this ancient ecosystem because paleontologists are still debating exactly what kind of animal they belonged to.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginally described as the teeth of a small theropod dinosaur, some researchers have suggested that \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRicardoestesia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e may have belonged to a bird-like dinosaur, while others have proposed crocodilians or even fish. Despite decades of study, its true identity remains uncertain, making these teeth especially interesting to collectors.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis specimen displays the characteristic slender, recurved shape associated with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRicardoestesia gilmorei\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Although small, teeth like these represent predators that shared their environment with giant hadrosaurs, ceratopsians, tyrannosaurs, and countless other species that inhabited the lush coastal plains of ancient North America.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDespite its size, this tooth is a genuine piece of one of the most diverse dinosaur ecosystems ever discovered and a great addition to any microfossil or dinosaur collection. This tooth comes in a small container for display purposes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease review all photos and videos carefully. You will receive this exact piece.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"River Walkers Minerals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52027062288680,"sku":null,"price":85.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0813\/6609\/0024\/files\/A7E43F1E-7786-4387-9E0E-84BBCDBE2F20.jpg?v=1782186479","url":"https:\/\/riverwalkersminerals.com\/products\/rare-ricardoestesia-tooth-judith-river-formation-river-walkers-minerals","provider":"River Walkers Minerals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}