The Dude Posted May 16, 2020 Share Posted May 16, 2020 Hi everyone. Found this in the Peace River, Fl member of the Bone Vally formation. I think its Dolphin or could me mammal. Nice condition but the very tip is missing. Please have a look tell me your thoughts, this is a first find like this for me. Its small, 1.25" (31mm) from tip to where the root ends total length. The tooth itself is 1/2 inch (12mm) long and 3/8" (9mm) wide at the base of the enamel Thank You Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grandpa Posted May 16, 2020 Share Posted May 16, 2020 Before we confuse some of our readers, dolphins are in fact mamals: Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Infraorder: Cetacea 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Posted May 16, 2020 Author Share Posted May 16, 2020 3 hours ago, grandpa said: Before we confuse some of our readers, dolphins are in fact mamals: Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Infraorder: Cetacea My bad grandpa wasn't thinking , thanks for pointing that out , my brain was still wet from hunting in the rain today 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellseeker Posted May 16, 2020 Share Posted May 16, 2020 With kudos to Harry's fantastic set of photos 3 The White Queen ".... in her youth she could believe "six impossible things before breakfast" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boesse Posted May 16, 2020 Share Posted May 16, 2020 I think this is definitely a hefty dolphin tooth - dolphin teeth generally curve inward. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Posted May 16, 2020 Author Share Posted May 16, 2020 55 minutes ago, Boesse said: I think this is definitely a hefty dolphin tooth - dolphin teeth generally curve inward. I have a question , I have found a dozen mako 8 smaller Meg's this year but this is my first dolphin . Are they more rare to find or I'm just looking in the wrong spot ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Pristis Posted May 16, 2020 Share Posted May 16, 2020 1 hour ago, The Dude said: I have a question , I have found a dozen mako 8 smaller Meg's this year but this is my first dolphin . Are they more rare to find or I'm just looking in the wrong spot ? That raises the question: How many teeth do odontocetes produce in a lifetime? I don't know. Most mammals produce two sets, deciduous and permanent. (Maybe @Boessecan clarify this.) However many it is, it is not nearly as many as a shark. Here's what Google says: 30,000 teeth The number of teeth a shark can lose over its lifetime does depend upon the species. The sharks that have several hundred teeth in their jaws will lose more teeth overall than the sharks that only have a dozen teeth. On average, a shark can lose as many as 20,000 – 30,000 teeth over the course of its lifetime.Aug 24, 2016 5 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...
The Dude Posted May 16, 2020 Author Share Posted May 16, 2020 4 hours ago, Harry Pristis said: That raises the question: How many teeth do odontocetes produce in a lifetime? I don't know. Most mammals produce two sets, deciduous and permanent. (Maybe @Boessecan clarify this.) However many it is, it is not nearly as many as a shark. Here's what Google says: 30,000 teeth The number of teeth a shark can lose over its lifetime does depend upon the species. The sharks that have several hundred teeth in their jaws will lose more teeth overall than the sharks that only have a dozen teeth. On average, a shark can lose as many as 20,000 – 30,000 teeth over the course of its lifetime.Aug 24, 2016 Yes makes sense then you would see way more shark teeth then dolphin good logic there Harry, seems solid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boesse Posted May 20, 2020 Share Posted May 20, 2020 Good question - it probably has to do with the fact that 1) shark teeth are produced far more rapidly and being constantly shed and 2) dolphins only produce a single set of teeth (we're not sure if odontocetes have lost the milk teeth or the adult teeth). They are indeed quite rare. For example, yesterday I was at a river dredge site where probably 90% or more of the fossils are Oligocene in age. We collected three complete odontocete teeth, a couple possible partials, and probably 30-40 teeth of Physogaleus aduncas alone (and many dozens of tiny Carcharhinus teeth we left behind). And each of those odontocetes were from different families! Indeed, at Folly Beach right here near Charleston, I've collected thousands of shark teeth - on a good day you can find ~100 or more small teeth - and I have never found nor heard of a dolphin tooth out there (though I do know of about a dozen earbones). Surprisingly, not a single recognizable sperm whale tooth even! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamguti Posted July 15, 2020 Share Posted July 15, 2020 @Boesse where was that site exactly? I live downtown and go up to Summerville frequently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boesse Posted July 15, 2020 Share Posted July 15, 2020 3 hours ago, grahamguti said: @Boesse where was that site exactly? I live downtown and go up to Summerville frequently. Along a lowcountry waterway! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamguti Posted July 15, 2020 Share Posted July 15, 2020 @Boesse Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DPS Ammonite Posted July 15, 2020 Share Posted July 15, 2020 8 hours ago, grahamguti said: @Boesse where was that site exactly? I live downtown and go up to Summerville frequently. Check out the paleontological resources at Mindat. If you search for a species of fossil in the field next to the magnifying glass it will take you to a page that has links to GBIF and paleobiodb websites. If you search around those sites you can find maps with fossil localities based on professional papers. You also can find citations to pertinent papers. Sometimes most of your hunting is on the internet before you go to a site. When thing get back to normal, going to a local paleo, rock or mineral club is a great way to find new hunting areas. You will have more luck doing the above than by directly asking where to find fossils on the Forum. Good luck in your searches. My goal is to leave no stone or fossil unturned. See my Arizona Paleontology Guide link The best single resource for Arizona paleontology anywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamguti Posted July 15, 2020 Share Posted July 15, 2020 @DPS Ammonite Similarly, I have read pages of the peer reviewed journal articles discussing the quadrangle in my area and its layers exposures (and if I'm lucky they include a locality). I have also looked at what elevation the formations rest at---and respectfully topographic maps of my county. I also spend hours on Google maps to find exposed lands, recent LIVE satellite imagery to make sure they are still there, and Google street view to know what the access point looks like or if it is fenced up. I have driven an hour away to find nothing before, but I've also found Megs 20 minutes away. I have also texted real estate brokers to ask them if they would allow me to look for fossils on their property, and most of them all said the same thing "I sold that property years ago". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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