SPECIALTY Fossils

Truly Special Fossils

Ron's, our fearless leader's, passion is fossils, particular the large carnivores of the Eurasian Miocene. Over the years, Ron has collected numerous exceptional specimens from Gansu Province, China. This stunning collection of saber-cats, felids, hyenas are truly the best we have to offer!

Now, after more than 7.0 million yeas of slumber, we are bringing these beauties into the light of day.

Fossil Bear

Indarctos lagrelli (Late Miocene, 7 - 12 m.y.a)
A fine example of one of the rarest of Miocene fossil carnivores. As big as a Polar Bear, but with substantially larger dentition, Indarctos lagrelli has rarely, if ever, been offered for sale in the U. S. We have never seen a better one than this. This specimen would provide an excellent basis for a complete skull cast of this species.

<10% Total restoration: Left zygomatic replacement from slightly behind post-orbital process to mandibular fossa. Rejoined break in right mandible. Sculpted left auditory bulla and occipital condyle. Minor fill-in to tip of left ascending ramus and outer edges of mandibular condyle. Minor cracks filled.

Restored Teeth:
Upper i1 (right) ; Upper i1, i2 (left) ; Lower i2, i3 (left) ; Half of lower m1 (Right).
All other teeth are original!

Fossil Fox

Vulpes sp. (Pliocene)
A rare example of an Asian canid, this beautiful little fox likely dates to the Pliocene. The late arrival of Canids in Asia makes this fossil particularly unusual and of interest to collectors.

<10% Total restoration: Restoration of zygomatics on both sides, minor fill-in to edge of sagittal crest, small area of postorbital process, portion of premaxilla, angular process of left mandible.

Replaced Teeth: Upper i1, i2 (left) ; upper i1, i2 (right) ; Tips of lower c1 (left and right)

Fossil Giant Hyena

Dinocrocuta gigantea (Late Miocene, 7 - 12 m.y.a)
This 15 inch skull is a marvelous example of one of the largest extinct carnivores to still have relatives among us, the giant hyena Dinocrocuta gigantea. Of the more than approximately 30 species of hyenas that roamed Eurasia during the Miocene, this was the largest of all. Dwarfing our modern day spotted hyenas, even surpassing the size of today's African Lions, this beast would have eaten almost anything it wanted. This is a juvenile animal, as evidenced from its emerging dentition.

<15% Total Restoration: Bone in excellent condition. Minor areas of repair include the zygomatic arches, the base of the right lower C1, and the edges of the sagittal crest. The largest area of restoration is to a break in the right mandible, just posterior to the M1. In addition, this skull comes with the matching axis vertebrate and a portion of the atlas.

Replaced Teeth: Upper right M1. The 33 other teeth are all original.

Fossil Giant Raccoon

Simocyon sp. (Late Miocene, 7 - 12 m.y.a)
Sometimes called the Giant Raccoon, Simocyon sp. is a rare find. Among its unusual characteristics are its severely reduced premolars--this species is missing the upper and lower first three premolars. The dental formula can be written as: 3/3, 1/1, 1/1, 2/2 for a total of 28 while the modern raccoon has 40. A truly unusual animal just waiting for the right collector.

15% Total restoration: Rebuilding of both zygomatics, restoration of right premaxilla, small area below left orbital, and portion of maxilla above left caninel

Restored Teeth: Upper i1, i2, i3, c1 (right); Lower c1 (right); lower i3(left)