Is it a fossilized claw/claw core? If yes, is it possible to ID the species?

[hahnewald]

Hello to all, I encountered this piece among a gravel bed at low tide on a beach along the West coast of South Africa, close to Cape Town. A location where fossilized shark teeth, marine mammal bones and vertebrae from the Miocene are found alongside Pleistocene fossils like horse teeth and mammoth tooth fragments. Unfortunately, this piece is not very well preserved owing to the relentless waters of the Cape. I'd be thrilled to know if anybody could assist with an ID, and if so, point to any diagnostic features. Scale bar is in cm. Thanks to anyone having a look. 

[Fossildude19]

@Harry Pristis  @Boesse

[Lorne Ledger]

Assuming the scale is in centimeters - it does resemble a claw core to me - possibly crocodile?  Just guessing.

[Harry Pristis]

Could be an ungual from something, but I think it's unidentifiable at this stage of wear.

[hahnewald]

12 hours ago, Lorne Ledger said:

Assuming the scale is in centimeters - it does resemble a claw core to me - possibly crocodile?  Just guessing.

Thanks for the comment, @Lorne Ledger. Were there any indicators, other than possibly size, that made you guess croc? Reptilian was definitely included in my guesses, based on possible age of deposits and regional prevalence of the class. To confirm, scale is in cm. 

[hahnewald]

12 hours ago, Harry Pristis said:

Could be an ungual from something, but I think it's unidentifiable at this stage of wear.

@Harry Pristis Thank you for a dependable and speedy response. I'll just have to get out there and spot a more 'clawy' claw... 

[Lorne Ledger]

58 minutes ago, hahnewald said:

Thanks for the comment, @Lorne Ledger. Were there any indicators, other than possibly size, that made you guess croc? Reptilian was definitely included in my guesses, based on possible age of deposits and regional prevalence of the class. To confirm, scale is in cm. 

It generally resembles alligator claws I have found in Florida - my guess is based on that, location found and size really.  I also agree with @Harry Pristis that it is too worn for any positive ID sadly.   So yes - go find a more clawy claw!!!!!

[Boesse]

I wonder if this is actually a small horn core.

[Harry Pristis]

1 hour ago, Boesse said:

I wonder if this is actually a small horn core.

 

I think Boesse's horn core guess is more reasonable than crocodilian ungual.