New Members Wasil Posted May 11, 2009 New Members Share Posted May 11, 2009 Hi All. My 11 year old found this in a ditch. I'm pretty sure it's a phalanx from a large animal, but can't guess beyond that. Anyone know what it is? Thanks in advance. p.s. Title should read Need Help Identifying Fossil. My brain types faster than my hands. Wasil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommabetts Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 A general location will help to ID it better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Members Wasil Posted May 11, 2009 Author New Members Share Posted May 11, 2009 Sorry for not giving locality info. This is from Dorchester County, South Carolina, USA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crinoid Queen Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 I have no Idea i only know inverts but it cool though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracer Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 kinda looks like the center of a gator vert to me with the processes broken off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gatorman Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 thats what i was thinking gator or croc vert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Members Wasil Posted May 11, 2009 Author New Members Share Posted May 11, 2009 Thanks for the replies. I don't think it's a vertebra because it does not show radial symmetry when you look down its long axis. It really strikes me as the distal phalange of some type of large animal. It even has a groove in the right place to accept the flexor tendon. I attached some additional photos so you can see it from additional angles. Please let me know what you think, and I reallly appreciate the help. Wasil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracer Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 well....by the elimination of process (pun intended), i still think it's a gator vert. it doesn't look anything like any phalanx i've ever seen, and it does look like gator verts i've seen. edit - i keep saying "gator", but anson's "reptile" is probably more accurate. haven't heard of croc fossils around me, but certainly have heard of 'em around s.c. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gatorman Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 still strikes me as reptile vert too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommabetts Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 I agree, I think it is a vert. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Pristis Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 Thanks for the replies. I don't think it's a vertebra because it does not show radial symmetry when you look down its long axis. It really strikes me as the distal phalange of some type of large animal. It even has a groove in the right place to accept the flexor tendon. I attached some additional photos so you can see it from additional angles. Please let me know what you think, and I reallly appreciate the help.Wasil Well, vertebrae don't exhibit radial symmetry; they exhibit bilateral symmetry unless they are pathological or highly stream-eroded. Can you think of anything else that might have passed through the "groove"? It is, almost certainly, a centrum from a reptile, probably crocodilian, as others are saying. My guess is that it is from a caudal vertebra. http://pristis.wix.com/the-demijohn-page What seest thou else In the dark backward and abysm of time? ---Shakespeare, The Tempest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boesse Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 Hey All, Croc/gator vert was the first thing to come to my mind also. Bobby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicholas Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 I trust those above. Seems very reptile and very vert like to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Members Wasil Posted May 11, 2009 Author New Members Share Posted May 11, 2009 OK, thanks everbody. I'll go along with reptile vert. Will let you know if I find out differently. -W. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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