Giant Predatory Fish in a Unique and Spectacular Presentation

Xiphactinus audax
Cretaceous
Niobrara Formation, Western Kansas
While dinosaurs roamed the land masses, Xiphactinus audax - the largest of all bony fish species - menaced the intracontinental seaway that divided the western third of North America from the rest of the continent. The species' only enemies were the gigantic Mosasaurs and the sharks of the period. The massive skull and dagger-like teeth of the present specimen attest to its predatory habit.

Whereas most mounted fossils from the Niobrara Chalks are presented in faux matrix in two dimensions, this magnificent example has been prepared completely free of matrix and fixed to an ingenious custom wall mount which allows for a free-floating effect; the gigantic predator appears to be swimming through space, spectacularly lifelike in its presence. The inventive mounting and preparation required over six months of meticulous work to complete. This is an exceptional specimen, brilliantly well presented.
Length measures approximately 12 feet