Rare Juvenile Hyaenodon Skull, Hyaenodon horridus, Fossil, Oligocene, K340

Type: This is a very rare partial skull from the Hyaenodon, Hyaenodon horridus, (large sized).  This specimen has over 13 teeth in the skull and 5 teeth in the parts.  The left cheek and back of the left mandible are fully preserved which is extremely rare.  Normally these thin portions are not preserved.  Also, around the left orbit, the preservation is fantastic.  What makes this specimen even more interesting is that it is a juvenile specimen, and you can see the adult teeth coming in.  When it was found it was in two main pieces split down the middle, which I rejoined and restored the crack.  There is a very small portion of restoration on the bottom left mandible.  There is no restoration on any of the rest of the bone or teeth.  In the parts there are some very rare teeth including a fully preserved canine.  There is no restoration on any of the loose teeth and skull fragments.  Hyaenodon material, particularly horridus is very seldom to come across.  This piece has been in my collection for a number of years.  Will make an amazing addition to the collection.

Locality: Private land in Pennington County, South Dakota

Age: Oligocene, 30 Million Years Ago
 
Weight:  1 pounds 7 ounces

Ruler increments are 1/16 inch.