Desmostylus Molar Tooth Replica

Description

Desmostylus Molar Tooth Replica measures 2.14 inches. Desmostylus Molar Tooth Replica is museum-quality polyurethane cast. 1:1 scale. Made in USA. Molar tooth of a pony-sized mammal of Miocene North Pacific. Cast of original specimen of Shark’s Tooth Hill. Buena Vista MNH.

Desmostylus or Vanderhoofius coalingensis was a large, hippopotamus-like creature of about 6 feet long which weighed about 440 lbs. It had a short tail and powerful legs with four hooves. Both the creature’s jaws were elongated and sported forward-facing tusks, which were elongated canines and incisors.

Most likely fully aquatic, Desmostylus or Vanderhoofius coalingens is is thought to have lived in shallow water in coastal regions, usually less than 30 meters deep. Recent isotope work indicates that Desmostylus more likely lived, or spent a large amount of time in freshwater or estuary ecosystems foraging for aquatic freshwater plants.

Vanderhoofius coalingensis less dense bone structure suggests that Desmostylus or Vanderhoofius coalingensis had a lifestyle of active swimming and possibly feeding at the surface, unlike other Desmostylians that were primarily slow swimmers or bottom walkers and sea grass feeders.

Scientific Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: †Desmostylia
• Family: †Desmostylidae
• Genus: †Desmostylus
• Species: †D. hesperus
• Conservation Status: Extinct

Researchers examining the unique columnar structure of this specimen can further explore the effects of abrasive aquatic feeding by viewing the Desmostylus molar worn tooth replica. Comparing these two stages of attrition provides critical insight into how the dense enamel cylinders of these extinct marine mammals functioned during the mastication of tough vegetation.