Shellseeker Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 I was hunting in a predominately marine fossil location, finding only small shark teeth. After a couple of hours, I suddenly found larger bones, (ribs, jaw??) and then a piece of coral, and then this non-rock... 9 by 12 inches !!! and either Atlas or Axis Vertebrae!!!! I had a feeling that it was whale !!! (thinking teeth) but not sure.. Any day with a great whale fossil is a great trip!!! I scrambled to dig 4-5 more sieves, but just found more small shark teeth... RATS !!!! On the way home, I managed to search images of Whale Atlas and Axis verts, and determined that this one is an Atlas vert from a baleen whale. I wondered about the size of a whale that has a 12 inch Atlas vert!!!! This is amazingly well preserved... Here are a couple more Atlas verts... one that is supposedly a juvenile sperm whale, and another from Aurora dolphins... I am surprised that dolphins (with teeth) have an atlas vert very similar to Baleen whales. Let's see what @Boesse thinks about similarities and differences in whale verts.. 15 The White Queen ".... in her youth she could believe "six impossible things before breakfast" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fifbrindacier Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 3 hours ago, Shellseeker said: I am surprised that dolphins (with teeth) have an atlas vert very similar to Baleen whales. Let's see what @Boesse thinks about similarities and differences in whale verts.. It's certainly because the Mysticeti and the Odontoceti are not separate since a long geologic time and also because it has its utility for both genus. But i know you know it yet. "On ne voit bien que par le coeur, l'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux." (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry) "We only well see with the heart, the essential is invisible for the eyes." In memory of Doren Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidgy's Dad Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 Great find! Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwigia Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 Congrats on that! Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger http://www.steinkern.de/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Amateur Paleontologist Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 Amazing find - that's a beautiful vertebra @Tidgy's Dad I really like your new profile picture gif 1 Opalised fossils are the best: a wonderful mix between paleontology and mineralogy! Q. Where do dinosaurs study? A. At Khaan Academy!... My ResearchGate profile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidgy's Dad Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 1 hour ago, The Amateur Paleontologist said: Amazing find - that's a beautiful vertebra @Tidgy's Dad I really like your new profile picture gif Me too. Courtesy of @Pagurus 3 Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fifbrindacier Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 58 minutes ago, Tidgy's Dad said: Me too. Courtesy of @Pagurus I love it too. 2 "On ne voit bien que par le coeur, l'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux." (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry) "We only well see with the heart, the essential is invisible for the eyes." In memory of Doren Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boesse Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 Owing to the large size and breadth of each condylar fossa/facet, this is probably baleen whale. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellseeker Posted March 5, 2020 Author Share Posted March 5, 2020 2 hours ago, Boesse said: Owing to the large size and breadth of each condylar fossa/facet, this is probably baleen whale. Thanks , Bobby Found this photo that taught me a little about condyloid facets, which side the Axis vert connects, and proper orientation... Also found what appears what seem to be whale rib fragments, other vert sections and previously Baleen ear bones. 1 The White Queen ".... in her youth she could believe "six impossible things before breakfast" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bone Daddy Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 Great find. That is a trip-maker. And good eye for not passing it up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishkeeper Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 Great find! Atlas verts are remarkably similar amongst all vertebrate species, probably due to the similar utility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcbshark Posted March 7, 2020 Share Posted March 7, 2020 Awesome find Jack! Sure don’t see too many of those! Every once in a great while it's not just a big rock down there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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