Mosasaur or croc?

[steviefossils]

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

 

[Fossildude19]

Looks like mosasaur to me, but wait for some experts to chime in. 

 

 @frankh8147  @Carl

[The Jersey Devil]

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.

[steviefossils]

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. 

[frankh8147]

Yep! As stated, a 100% certain ID isnt possible but I would also confidently label it as Mosasaur.

[pachy-pleuro-whatnot-odon]

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...

[PaleoNoel]

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.

[Carl]

I'm firmly in the mosasaur camp. Crocs teeth in NJ tend to be much more slender. Nice find!

[steviefossils]

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.