Unknown Bone Found in Ohio

[JMeade]

Hello,

 

Today my son and his friends found a very large bone (photo attached) in the mud around our pond in Toledo, Ohio. The bone is broken but it is approximately 8.5 inches (21.59 centimeters) long and 3.5 inches (8.89 centimeters) wide at the widest end. I'm not sure what it could be but would love to hear anyones thoughts. 

 

Thank you!

 

JM

[trilobites_are_awesome]

There is no fossil vertebrates in Toledo area (except for Fish).

I think this a modern bone, you should try a burn test.

[ted coulianos]

Looks like a bovine humerus, but let's let the vertebrate experts chime in.  Does not appear to be fossil (try the "burn test") & compare to:

[Jaybot]

Seems Bovid to me as well; likely Bos especially if there is history of farmers/ranchers in your area.

 

To perform the 'burn' test:

Clean an area of the bone, then let it dry completely.  Hold a flame to the bone for about 5-10 seconds, then see if you can smell a 'burnt hair' smell.  You will know if you do smell it, as it is an awful smell.  If you can't smell the said 'burnt hair' like smell, then it is likely a fossil.

 

I have found that cleaning an area first is important, as some algae and moss can smell putrid when burned, giving an inaccurate test.