Curious Fossils: New Area

[Shellseeker]

Searching for new locations and finding some fossils that I do not normally find. Even knowing what they are, I still have questions:

Photo #1: Is this a "geode"? Does anyone have a link to read how these are formed?

Photo #2: A very small canine with a filed down edge. If this were 2 inches long, clearly Tapir. Is this from a small tapir or from another animal which also files down its canines?

Photo #3 - A Snake Vert - pretty large and in perfect shape. Digging in small gravel, sand, clay mix which tends not to break up fossils

OPPS -- ran out of space. Will append the last 2 in a response thread> SS

Edited April 6, 2014 by Shellseeker

[Shellseeker]

Last 2:

A fish (or could it be shark?) vert.

and finally a broken Ulna. This could be the size of a raccoon or possum. From other photos on the net it seems most likely raccoon. Is there a site for identification of small Ulna fossil bones?

Thanks for any/all responses. SS

[Ludwigia]

Yes, that's a geode with chalcedony in it. As to how it was formed, you'd need more details on the type of rock it was found in. Vulcanic? Sedimentary? Plutonic?

By the way, nice finds!

Edited April 6, 2014 by Ludwigia

[old bones]

On your find number 2, what about a small peccary ?

[dozer operator]

Isnt #1 like agatized coral?

[Shellseeker]

Yes, that's a geode with chalcedony in it. As to how it was formed, you'd need more details on the type of rock it was found in. Vulcanic? Sedimentary? Plutonic?

By the way, nice finds!

Ludwiga & Doze Operator, I was never quite sure what was the difference between "Agatized Coral" and "Geodes with Chalcedony". Finding this item caused me to search and find http://www.apalachee-minerals.com/agatized_coral/agatized_coral.htm

So I am thinking that there is little or no difference --- This example was found in the Peace River upstream of Bowling Green and relatively close to Tampa. Learn something new every day.

[Shellseeker]

On your find number 2, what about a small peccary ?

Agree but I am really worried about size -- I have found Tapir and in the range of 2 plus inches. I have never seen one this small. Have other fossil hunters have examples of small peccary canines.

[lissa318]

I am certainly no expert but between the options of fish and shark I think the vert is fish. The fish verts I've found are a different texture/feel than the shark and are definitely more porous. The sides of that vert sure look porous to me! It is shaped differently than the fish verts I'm familiar with though. Does it look (texture wise) and feel the same as shark to you? Nice finds by the way!!! I like the geode.

Edited April 7, 2014 by lissa318

[Shellseeker]

I am certainly no expert but between the options of fish and shark I think the vert is fish. The fish verts I've found are a different texture/feel than the shark and are definitely more porous. The sides of that vert sure look porous to me! It is shaped differently than the fish verts I'm familiar with though. Does it look and feel the same as shark to you? Nice finds by the way!!! I like the geode.

I do not find many fish verts -- This is only the 2nd complete one that I ever found in the Peace River -- Here is the 1st which I think is Sawfish!! So, you ARE an expert compared to me ---

[ashcraft]

Sawfish are sharks, actually rays. I assume they have a cartilage based skeleton that ossifies (becomes mineralized),as they age.

fkaa

[donnyjoe]

The crystals in your #1 are either botryoidal or mammilary. I find these here in South Texas in chert and agate along with drusy and nodular, sometimes in combinations. This link has information about formation and a list of habits with nice pics. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_habit

Hope this helps.

[Hemi-God]

Love the snake vert.

[Ludwigia]

Chalcedony is a simple form of agate. You also find it in agatized corals, so you could say it's basically the same thing if you like. The only question that remains is if your find actually was originally coral before it was agatized or if it's something completely different. It is a geode, anyway. Those are basically holes in a stone with minerals on the walls of it, in this case something botryoidal, as donnyjoe mentioned above.

[ptychodus]

Based on the surface pattern, it looks like it was coral first.

[Plantguy]

SS, Nice mixture of different sorts of finds! Snake vert is intriguing...Regards, Chris

[Shellseeker]

Thanks for all the comments/replies/encouragement.

I am very interested in the Agatized coral because although pretty common in other parts of Florida it is relatively rare in the Peace River. Here is a good link on how these are created:

http://www.flheritage.com/facts/symbols/symbol.cfm?id=16

and...

http://www.fossil-treasures-of-florida.com/agatized-coral.html

Agatized coral occurs when silica in the ocean water hardens, replacing the limy corals with a form of quartz known as chalcedony. This long process (20-30 million years) results in the formation of a "pseudomorph," meaning that one mineral has replaced another without having lost its original form

Definitely impressed by that "20-30 Million Years" and to be coral 1st, this had to be from shallow seas... Mine is not as impressive as some in the 2nd link but it is the only one I have personally found..

[sixgill pete]

I agree the new vert is a fish vert. The second one you pictures could be sawshark, but a side view is needed to possibly confirm this.

[Sacha]

Jack, if you like that coral, we can do a North Withlacoochee trip if the water ever goes down this spring. Overnight in Lake Park Georgia. I think you would like it for a change. No screen, just rock hammer and shovel or pry bar for equipment.

Yes, it's a drive, but a nice change of pace and you might get hooked.

[Shellseeker]

I agree the new vert is a fish vert. The second one you pictures could be sawshark, but a side view is needed to possibly confirm this.

Can you narrow down which fish? For example I Identified fossilized Filefish verts in an earlier thread.

Here is some side views of the the 2nd vert. It is about the size of a silver dollar.

[sixgill pete]

I think you are correct, IMHO, it is a sawfish (sawshark) vert. Very nice. It would have been a very large specimen with the vert being the size of a silver dollar. (Larger than any I have from NC) As far as the fish vert, I have no idea on the species. The only ones I can ID for sure are the larger tuna verts from Lee Creek.