steviefossils Posted March 3, 2021 Share Posted March 3, 2021 Hi all, I recovered this split tooth from Big Brook park in Monmouth, NJ (late cretaceous). I've checked a couple websites that give information on Big Brook, and I can't conclude either way if it is mosasaur or croc (or similar to a croc). I included close-ups to show enamel, and held it to show the shape of the tooth towards its root. Thanks, Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted March 3, 2021 Share Posted March 3, 2021 Looks like mosasaur to me, but wait for some experts to chime in. @frankh8147 @Carl 1 1 1 Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jersey Devil Posted March 3, 2021 Share Posted March 3, 2021 It's impossible to do a 100% ID on it mainly because of the condition it's in, but because of location and age, shape, etc., you can confidently say it's mosasaur. 3 1 “You must take your opponent into a deep dark forest where 2+2=5, and the path leading out is only wide enough for one.” ― Mikhail Tal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steviefossils Posted March 3, 2021 Author Share Posted March 3, 2021 6 hours ago, The Jersey Devil said: It's impossible to do a 100% ID on it mainly because of the condition it's in, but because of location and age, shape, etc., you can confidently say it's mosasaur. No problem if we can't 100% ID. I was thinking mosasaur, but thought my hope would cloud my judgment. I'm happy to think that I've got my first mosasaur tooth, so thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankh8147 Posted March 3, 2021 Share Posted March 3, 2021 Yep! As stated, a 100% certain ID isnt possible but I would also confidently label it as Mosasaur. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pachy-pleuro-whatnot-odon Posted March 3, 2021 Share Posted March 3, 2021 11 hours ago, The Jersey Devil said: It's impossible to do a 100% ID on it mainly because of the condition it's in, but because of location and age, shape, etc., you can confidently say it's mosasaur. I'm guessing that since this fossil comes from the Cretaceous-sediments at Big Brook these are marine sediments and therefore exclude crocodile? Based on morphological features, I'd also have guess mosasaur, but am unfamiliar with the deposits at Big Brook - hence my asking... '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...
PaleoNoel Posted March 3, 2021 Share Posted March 3, 2021 3 hours ago, pachy-pleuro-whatnot-odon said: I'm guessing that since this fossil comes from the Cretaceous-sediments at Big Brook these are marine sediments and therefore exclude crocodile? Based on morphological features, I'd also have guess mosasaur, but am unfamiliar with the deposits at Big Brook - hence my asking... Crocs are present in the Late Cretaceous formations in NJ, often referred to the gavialoid Thoracosaurus. Btw I agree with the comments above in that its probably mosasaur, but crocodilian can't be ruled out. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Posted March 17, 2021 Share Posted March 17, 2021 I'm firmly in the mosasaur camp. Crocs teeth in NJ tend to be much more slender. Nice find! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steviefossils Posted March 25, 2021 Author Share Posted March 25, 2021 On 3/17/2021 at 8:03 AM, Carl said: I'm firmly in the mosasaur camp. Crocs teeth in NJ tend to be much more slender. Nice find! Thanks! I've found a couple croc teeth, so I felt confident in calling it mosasaur, but it's good to get thoughts from more experienced hunters. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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