Laney57 Posted March 16, 2014 Share Posted March 16, 2014 Hi, Im strictly amateur, but have always found fossils fascinating. While walking along the shore of the Peace River in Wauchula awhile back, I found this fossil. I've searched and searched the web to try and identify it, and the closest thing I've come to it is a raptor toe. I've also found that that's extremely unlikely, but none of the other toe bones I have seen seem to come close, except for perhaps a giant sloth or a jaguar. Anyway, any help in identifying this fossil would be greatly appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foshunter Posted March 16, 2014 Share Posted March 16, 2014 Looks like sloth to me----Tom Grow Old Kicking And Screaming !!"Don't Tread On Me" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laney57 Posted March 16, 2014 Author Share Posted March 16, 2014 Thanks, Tom! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellseeker Posted March 16, 2014 Share Posted March 16, 2014 Always good to search this forum: http://www.thefossilforum.com/index.php?/gallery/image/10353-small-sloth-medial-phalanx/ The Gallery is extensive thanks to many experts who documented their collections here. SS The White Queen ".... in her youth she could believe "six impossible things before breakfast" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichW9090 Posted March 16, 2014 Share Posted March 16, 2014 The problem here is that this isn't a medial phalanx - it is a proximal. Note the distinct groove for the keel on the end of the associated metapodial. Sloths have first phalanges which are much shorter than the second, whereas this one is relatively long. 1 The plural of "anecdote" is not "evidence". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laney57 Posted March 22, 2014 Author Share Posted March 22, 2014 Thanks, Shellseeker. Good to know. I will definitely check that going forward before I seek another identification. RichW090, any idea what it might belong to? I found another thread on here where someone posted a similar photo and you identified it as camel... Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DylanS Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 Not sure if you have already identified this one but it definitely looks like a proximal phalanx from either a Bison (Bison antiquus) or Cow (Bos taurus). Distinguishing between post-cranial elements from both can be difficult. I often find these in the larger rivers of the Midwest where millions of these animals once roamed. The tannin in some rivers quickly stain bones causing them to appear much older than they are creating a challenge for fossil hunters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichW9090 Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 I'd go with the Bison/Bos for now - it certainly isn't camel - they are relatively much longer than this one. The plural of "anecdote" is not "evidence". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Pristis Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 Bos/Bison is a good bet. http://pristis.wix.com/the-demijohn-page What seest thou else In the dark backward and abysm of time? ---Shakespeare, The Tempest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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