Yes, most Moroccan dinosaur teeth sold by reputable dealers are real fossils. Morocco’s Kem Kem beds have produced genuine Spinosaurus, Carcharodontosaurus and other dinosaur teeth in large numbers for decades. However, the market also contains restored teeth, composites, misidentified specimens and the occasional fake.
Knowing the difference is what separates a confident collector from a disappointed one. This guide explains why Moroccan dinosaur teeth are so common, what problems to watch for and how to check a tooth before you buy.
Why there are so many Moroccan dinosaur teeth
The abundance of Moroccan teeth surprises many new collectors. There are good reasons for it.
Dinosaurs replaced their teeth throughout their lives, so a single predator could shed hundreds of teeth. In the Kem Kem river system, roughly 100 to 95 million years ago, those shed teeth were buried in sand and gravel, where tough enamel survived well.
Today, local diggers work the Kem Kem escarpment by hand, often tunnelling into fossil-rich layers. That steady effort brings a large number of teeth to the market every year. So a common Moroccan tooth is not a sign of a fake. It reflects real geology and real digging.
The four main problems in the market
Most issues with Moroccan teeth fall into four groups. Only one of them involves a truly fake object.
1. Restoration
Many Moroccan teeth are cracked or broken when found. Preparators often glue cracks, fill gaps and sometimes rebuild missing tips or edges. A restored tooth is still a real fossil, but heavy restoration reduces its scientific and collecting value. It should always be disclosed.
2. Composites
A composite combines parts from different teeth or animals into one specimen. For example, a crown from one tooth might be joined to the root of another. Teeth are also sometimes set into matrix (rock) that they did not come from to make them look more impressive.
3. Misidentification
This is the most common problem. Crocodilian teeth, which also come from the Kem Kem, are sometimes sold as Spinosaurus teeth. Generic theropod teeth may be labelled Carcharodontosaurus. These are real fossils, just not the animal named on the label.
4. Fakes and casts
Outright fakes made of resin or plaster exist, though they are less common than restorations. Some fakes add a false root or a fake tip to a real broken tooth.
How to check a Moroccan dinosaur tooth
You do not need a laboratory to spot most problems. A magnifier, a UV light and a careful eye will take you a long way.
Look at the enamel. Real enamel has natural texture and a subtle sheen. Spinosaurus teeth usually show long, fine ridges (flutes), while Carcharodontosaurus teeth show distinctive wrinkles near the serrated edges. Painted or overly smooth patches may hide restoration.
Check the serrations. Carcharodontosaurus teeth have crisp serrations on both edges. Spinosaurus teeth have very small serrations or none at all. Sharp, consistent detail under a loupe is a good sign.
Compare colour and texture along the tooth. Abrupt changes in colour, shine or surface texture can show where a tip or section was rebuilt.
Use a UV light. Glues and fillers often glow differently from original fossil under ultraviolet light, revealing repairs.
Examine the base. Most shed teeth have a hollow or uneven base. A perfect, smooth “root” on a tooth that should be shed deserves a closer look.
Feel the weight. Real fossil teeth feel dense and cool. Resin feels light and warm.
Spinosaurus or crocodile?
Because this mix-up is so common, it is worth a closer look. Spinosaurus teeth are tall, straight or gently curved cones with a round cross-section and long, parallel flutes running down the crown. Crocodilian teeth from the Kem Kem are usually shorter, stouter and more strongly curved, with clear front and back ridges and a different enamel texture.
If you are unsure, ask the dealer how they identified the tooth. A good dealer will explain. Compare genuine examples in the Spinosaurus teeth and Carcharodontosaurus teeth collections.
Questions to ask before you buy
Before buying any Moroccan tooth, ask whether it has been restored and where, whether it is a single natural tooth or a composite, and how the species was identified. Ask whether it is guaranteed authentic.
A trustworthy dealer answers clearly and in writing. Buried Treasure Fossils describes the condition of its specimens and guarantees authenticity. You can read about its background on the About Us page.
Frequently asked questions
1. Are Moroccan dinosaur teeth fake?
Most are real. The bigger risks are undisclosed restoration, composites and misidentification rather than outright fakes.
2. Why are Moroccan dinosaur teeth so common?
Dinosaurs shed many teeth, the Kem Kem preserved them well, and local diggers recover them in large numbers.
3. Is a restored Moroccan tooth still real?
Yes. Restoration repairs a real fossil. It should be disclosed, and less restoration is generally better.
4. How can I tell a Spinosaurus tooth from a crocodile tooth?
Spinosaurus teeth are tall, straight cones with long parallel flutes. Crocodile teeth are usually shorter, more curved and have a different enamel texture.
Buy Moroccan teeth with confidence
Moroccan dinosaur teeth are real windows into one of the most exciting dinosaur ecosystems ever found. Learn the warning signs, check each tooth carefully and buy from dealers who describe their specimens honestly. Explore authentic Moroccan dinosaur teeth at Buried Treasure Fossils.