Draft:Avocado the Triceratops (prorsus)

Avocado the Triceratops

Avacado

Catalog no.	DL.004 (lab catalog number)
Common name	Avacado
Species	Triceratops prorsus
Age	c. 66 million years (Late Cretaceous)
Place discovered	South Dakota, United States
Date discovered	2016
Discovered by	commercial fossil hunter

Is a remarkable fossil of the dinosaur species Triceratops prorsus, discovered in 2016 in South Dakota, United States. This specimen represents the most complete of species known to date providing significant insight into the anatomy and life of this iconic dinosaur.

Avocado was unearthed in the Hell Creek Formation, a region renowned for its rich fossil beds dating back to the Late Cretaceous period (approximately 68-66 million years ago).

The fossil was encased in a concrete-like matrix that posed significant challenges during its extraction and preparation; requiring a keen eye for detail and expert maneuvering of specialized tools. Despite these difficulties, Avocado's preservation is exceptional, with its delicate tail bones and numerous fossilized tendons meticulously preserved.

Standing about 11 feet tall, Avocado ranks among the largest known Triceratops specimens rivaling other notable finds such as Big John and Headless Henry. The fossil's dimensions include a right femur measuring 146 cm (57.5 inches) and a left humerus reaching 91.5 cm (36 inches). The specimen showcases a complete tail with all vertebrae intact from the sacrum to the tip, a full pelvic girdle, a complete rib cage, and almost all major limb bones.

Avocado's fossil also provides evidence of interactions with other prehistoric creatures. Notably, the rear end of the triceratops displays bite wounds from a large theropod, likely a Tyrannosaurus rex. This suggests that Avocado may have been preyed upon or scavenged by large predators shortly after its death.

Another unique and noteworthy quality that Avocados' bones is that some pieces and aspects of their anatomy seem to be infused with raw Pyrite. Seen as deposits on top of surface, a replacement of the natural chocolate hued surface or even within the fractures. This is likely a result of something present in the environment during the fossilization process as changes in these factors can alter the colour, structure and shape of bones in other documented cases.

The excavation site yielded various additional fossilized remains, including fish scales, turtle bones, and numerous theropod teeth. These findings suggest that Avocado's fossilization occurred in a locale that was once part of a shallow inland sea or along a riverbank. The presence of theropod teeth indicates scavenging activity in the period between Avocado's death and its fossilization.

(Avacado is currently undergoing active preparation & restoration in a lab within Canada.)

Summary

Discovered in 2016 within South Dakotas' Hell Creek Formation, Avocado the Triceratops is an extraordinary fossil of Triceratops prorsus, currently the most complete of its species. This iconic dinosaur, known for its distinctive frill and three prominent horns, thrived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 68-66 million years ago.

Avocado stands out not only for its completeness but also for the detailed snapshot it provides of the Late Cretaceous ecosystem. The fossil's exceptional preservation and the surrounding discoveries offer valuable insights into the environment and interactions of that ancient world.

Preservation

Despite being encased in various concrete-like matrices, extracting and preparing this pyrite infused, rich chocolate brown fossil presented formidable challenges due to its unique and delicate nature.

Nonetheless, Avocado's preservation is exceptional, encompassing delicate tail bones and numerous fossilized tendons crucial for supporting its massive head and powerful tail.

The fossil showcases a;

• complete tail with all vertebrae intact from sacrum to tip,
• complete illium (pair),
• a complete pelvic girdle,
• a full rib cage, and
• nearly all major limb bones.

Physical Characteristics

Standing roughly 11 feet tall, Avocado ranks among the largest known Triceratops specimens, alongside notable fossils like Big John at Glazer's Children's Museum and Headless Henry at the Missouri Institute of Natural Sciences. Noteworthy dimensions include Avocado's;

• right femur measuring 146 cm (57.5 in), and its
• left humerus reaching 91.5 cm (36 in).

Evidence of Interaction

Avocado's fossil also provides evidence of interactions with other prehistoric creatures. Notably, the rear end of the triceratops displays bite wounds from a large theropod, likely a Tyrannosaurus rex. This suggests that Avocado may have been preyed upon or scavenged by large predators shortly after its death.

Additional Findings

Alongside this colossal dinosaur, the excavation yielded a trove of small treasures, including fish scales, turtle bones, and numerous theropod teeth. These additional findings likely accumulated in the shallow waters of an inland sea or along a riverbank where Avocado fossilized. The presence of theropod teeth suggests scavenging activity after the dinosaur's demise but before the fossilization process began.

Notes

1. According to the measurements published in both Wikipedias' article Big John (dinosaur) and that of the Guinness World Record Big John stands at approximately 9ft tall at the hip.

2. As for Headless Henry , featured in the Springfield News-Leader Henry Finally Gets a Head Worthy of World's Biggest Triceratops and that of a pdf document for the Missouri State Theatre and Dance , their size was estimated to be 10ft tall.