Tooth, Tusk or Bone?

[Unclechallie]

Found in Green Mill Run creek on 8/21/2020. Unsure if it is whale tooth, some type tusk or Bone. My original assumption was Sperm Whale but some have thought maybe tusk??

[Al Dente]

The end view looks like walrus tusk but I'm not too confident with that ID.

[Fossildude19]

@Boesse

[Boesse]

It *could* be a juvenile female tusk, as it does appear to have what *could* be globular dentine. OP: if you look with magnification (e.g. hand lens), and can see these little spheres of dentine, then it's definitely walrus. Other possibilities include a highly worn sperm whale tooth (e.g. "Kogiopsis")

 

[Unclechallie]

Walrus tusk would be awesome however I'm not sure what I'm seeing in the root end of the tooth (?) I did find a tweet by Sarah B with a photo however my example does not seem to exhibit that level of discrimination. I'm not sure if the end is somewhat closed off and I'm seeing some dentine or if it is only some embedded light colored debris (sand). I've attached a close-up (7X) if that helps any. Thanks

[Shellseeker]

I am betting on Tusk,  the one below happens to be Gomphothere.

 

[Unclechallie]

Here's another photo showing one side that exhibits radial striations (I guess this is a layer under the enamel or whatever). Also the radius of the curve is approx 4+"

[Boesse]

Plenty of marine mammals have large teeth with those circumferential growth bands. You're probably going to need magnification (hand lens)and look for evidence of globular dentine in this part in the middle that looks to be a different structure:

 

[Shellseeker]

On 8/25/2020 at 9:47 AM, Unclechallie said:

Here's another photo showing one side that exhibits radial striations

 Well,

If you had not shown me that root connection end, I would have firmly put it into the obvious whale tooth category  !!! but that root end screams No.

Here are some examples like yours from a couple of experts in South Carolina:  Look for similarities.

https://blogs.cofc.edu/macebrownmuseum/2016/04/29/friday-fossil-feature-thinking-of-a-good-walrus-pun-is-no-easy-tusk/

 

Also, you are in Greenville, Is there a museum or college or fossil club close that helps with Identification of NC fossils?

[Unclechallie]

Thanks to all for info thus far. I've been attempting to find global dentine per Boesse reply however the center section of the root is partially covered with other mineralization and has a fair amount of loose debris trapped in the nooks and crannies. I think I will need to find a local Paleo to view it under microscope. I don't know anyone but will inquire at ECU.

 

Edited August 26, 2020 by Unclechallie