bitterlily Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 Would it be possible that these two bones would come from a similar animal? I have been told with pretty good authority the larger is a whale vertebra and am curious about the smaller, found in the same creek, 100 feet away. Also Chesapecten shells found in the same creek. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharkdoctor Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 Welcome to the forum from a fellow Virginian! The vertebra is from a cetacean and the smaller bone is a phalanx (finger bone) from a cetacean. Your whale phalanx is very special in that it seems to have bite marks from a shark or whale on one side. Congrats on a rare and awesome find! I'd suggest checking the vertebra for bite marks as well. See this post for some example bite marks in vertebra from Virginia: 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bitterlily Posted January 27, 2020 Author Share Posted January 27, 2020 (edited) Wow! Hello @sharkdoctor and Thank you for that exciting information! So do you mean the scratches on the side of the phalanx could be bite marks or maybe that chunk taken out? Edited January 27, 2020 by bitterlily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caldigger Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 The chunk doesnt seem likely as the entire bone is deteriorated around the perimeter of both ends. However, the "scratch" marks are definately shark teeth gnaw markings. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidgy's Dad Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 What he said. Nice pieces. Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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