just_another_rockhound Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 I was on a family trip in Missouri. We were staying on Table Rock Lake in the Ozarks, and I stumbled upon what appeared to be fossilized bones. I am by no means an expert, and I'll be the first to admit that my imagination is very active, but I can't shake the feeling that this is something very interesting. As I was rifling through the pieces, I found what appears to be a hooked claw, though I am trying to remain sceptical. It's not in great shape, and is broken in pieces, but if it turned out to be a claw, that would be very exciting. I would greatly appreciate any help in identifying this piece. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ptychodus04 Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 (edited) It's not a claw, but it is a fossil. It is a cephalopod. The banding shown in the first photo are the septae, the divisions between the chambers inside the shell. Edited June 18, 2015 by Ptychodus04 1 Regards, Kris Global Paleo Services, LLC https://globalpaleoservices.com http://instagram.com/globalpaleoservices http://instagram.com/kris.howe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 I agree,... looks like a slightly coiled cephalopod. The whole area around Camden and Miller counties has outcroppings of Ordovician aged bedrock, according to THIS Geologic Map. Fossils found there will be from an ancient seafloor, and not likely to be bones or claws, but shells and corals, and other sea life. Neat finds. Regards, 1 Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
just_another_rockhound Posted June 18, 2015 Author Share Posted June 18, 2015 Thank you for the information! I really appreciate the help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
just_another_rockhound Posted June 18, 2015 Author Share Posted June 18, 2015 I just researched cephalopods and I absolutely agree with what each of you said. I had no idea they could be partially coiled! Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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