Cartilage?

[wetwilly]

Hi,

 

Cleaned a few things up today and I came across what maybe some kind of cartilage.

Am I on the right track?

 

Thanks

[Raggedy Man]

The pattern does look consistent with fossilized shark cartilage, however I am uncertain if it's from a shark or not. Cartilage in its pure form does not fossilize. As the animal ages, calcium salts are deposited increasing rigidity. These calcium salts are what allow the fossilization of cartilage. I hope this helps.

Here is an image of fossilized cartilage.

 

Best regards,

Paul

[fossiling]

this might be a extant snake skin shed stuck to the rock.

I may well be wrong.

[Al Dente]

I think prismatic cartilage is a good possibility. Maybe from a sawfish?

[wetwilly]

Thanks for the help Paul, Fossiling and Al Dente.  I will look into your suggestions. FYI - It is pretty fragile, when I pulled it from the stream, I put pressure on it to see its strength, and a part of it did break off. 

 

[Raggedy Man]

56 minutes ago, wetwilly said:

Thanks for the help Paul, Fossiling and Al Dente.  I will look into your suggestions. FYI - It is pretty fragile, when I pulled it from the stream, I put pressure on it to see its strength, and a part of it did break off. 

 

From what I read, fossilized cartilage is brittle depending on the environment it's extracted from. While this isn't objective, it may help you in asserting if it is fossilized cartilage.

[fifbrindacier]

According to your photos and the ones of @Raggedy Man, i vote for a cartilage.

[Carl]

Yep: Chondrichthyan cartilage. And a very nice piece, too!

[wetwilly]

Always exciting to find something new in those Brooks!

 

Thanks for the help everyone.