South Coast South Africa - Whale Fossil

[Miles Adriaanse]

Not an expert in fossil verification. I am a fisherman and found this in the nets. Can anybody tell me whether this is a whale fossil or perhaps something else and what species of whale.

 

 

 

[Al Dente]

How long is it? Looks like part of a Beaked Whale skull. Here's an example from this website-https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/549675

 

 

[Miles Adriaanse]

the total length is 45cm

 

[Mahnmut]

23 hours ago, Al Dente said:

How long is it? Looks like part of a Beaked Whale skull. Here's an example from this website-https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/549675

 

 

 

 Maybe @Boesse can tell you more? I do not gthink it is fossil, but still interesting as beaked whales are so rarely seen.

Best Regards,

J

[Boesse]

There's already quite a diverse trawled assemblage of ziphiid whales from the South African continental shelf, and I am about 90% certain that this is a specimen of Pterocetus:

 

[Mahnmut]

Ok, so I was wrong on both points, it is a fossil and nothing new.

Still a great find!

best regards,

J