Reebs Posted September 24, 2020 Share Posted September 24, 2020 Hello, I recently found these two alligator scutes in Manatee County, FL. Upon close inspection they both seem to have a piece of something dark lodged in them. It appears almost in the same place on both scutes. One of the dark spots has a very interesting shape to it, like it could be a fossil or mineral. The scutes were discovered less than an inch apart at a land site. What are the dark spots on these scutes? Thank you for looking. Marie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reebs Posted September 24, 2020 Author Share Posted September 24, 2020 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpc Posted September 24, 2020 Share Posted September 24, 2020 I suspect they are part of the scute, but with slightly different mineralization. This is only a guess. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reebs Posted September 24, 2020 Author Share Posted September 24, 2020 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reebs Posted September 24, 2020 Author Share Posted September 24, 2020 1 minute ago, jpc said: I suspect they are part of the scute, but with slightly different mineralization. This is only a guess. @jpc Thank you for the input. Much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Kmiecik Posted September 29, 2020 Share Posted September 29, 2020 Perhaps surface texture details that have survived wear? 2 Mark. Fossil hunting is easy -- they don't run away when you shoot at them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reebs Posted September 29, 2020 Author Share Posted September 29, 2020 48 minutes ago, Mark Kmiecik said: Perhaps surface texture details that have survived wear? Interesting. Thanks for the response @Mark Kmiecik Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pachy-pleuro-whatnot-odon Posted October 3, 2020 Share Posted October 3, 2020 Not sure whether this is the same as Mark already suggested, but maybe: organic residue? 1 'There's nothing like millions of years of really frustrating trial and error to give a species moral fibre and, in some cases, backbone' -- Terry Pratchett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockwood Posted October 3, 2020 Share Posted October 3, 2020 I think the spongy internal structure presented a weak spot which was compromised after the surface weathered to the lighter color. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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