Petrified snake head

[Amanda Johnson]

I don't know much about fossils, but I collect rocks and gemstones. Well, long story short, I found this and thought it was petrified wood. It has the nostril sockets and teeth holes. Can someone please tell me if this is a snake upper part of the skull or am I just seeing things. Thanks 

[Brett Breakin' Rocks]

24 minutes ago, Amanda Johnson said:

upper part of the skull

Hi There,

 

This is the top of a bony fish skull. Not familiar with most of the fauna in Alabama, my assumption was most of the sate's geology was older. Where was this found ?  On the East coast this resembles a Sea Robin skull element. 

 

Here is the Sea Robin skeleton:

 

 

And fossilized portion of the skull. 

 

Cheers,

Brett

Edited April 28, 2021 by Brett Breakin' Rocks

[Fossildude19]

This is actually a sea robin skull. 

[Amanda Johnson]

I found it in a deep wash out on the Chattahoochee river bank in Gordon Alabama 

Thank you guys for your help. I feel better knowing that it is something and not just wood. 

[Brett Breakin' Rocks]

10 minutes ago, Fossildude19 said:

This is actually a sea robin skull. 

Hey Tim,

 

The Chattahoochee river I think is mostly Cretaceous/Eocene correct ? .. as is most of Alabama. Or am I mistaken. Could this be a portion of a gar fish or something older ?  I'm not too functional on my Alabama geology but these sea robins (if I'm not mistaken) are much younger.   

 

EDIT: Nevermind ... I see there are Pleistocene sites there in Mississippi and Alabama https://markgelbart.wordpress.com/2015/08/17/pleistocene-fossils-found-in-southwestern-georgia-and-southeastern-alabama/

 

Cheers,

Brett

Edited April 28, 2021 by Brett Breakin' Rocks

[Randyw]

I could be wrong but doesn’t the recent research put sea robins evolving back around 50 mya?

I agree with sea robin skull or relative.

[IsaacTheFossilMan]

15 hours ago, Randyw said:

I could be wrong but doesn’t the recent research put sea robins evolving back around 50 mya?

I agree with sea robin skull or relative.

47mya, indeed!