CLC Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Was wondering if someone could help me correctly identify this fossil. This was found on a beach in Destin, FL this summer and appears to be maybe an eel or serpent like creature, it measures ~2 5/8" long and ~1" wide and tried to picture best I could. Any help would be appreciated and can send more pictures but could only post one due to size constraints. Thank you very much for your time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynot Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Welcome to TFF! It looks like a fish skull plate. Pictures of the back and sides would help. Tony 1 Darwin said: " Man sprang from monkeys." Will Rogers said: " Some of them didn't spring far enough." My Fossil collection - My Mineral collection My favorite thread on TFF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CLC Posted February 8, 2017 Author Share Posted February 8, 2017 Wow, thanks for quick reply! Here is a pick of the back, thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abyssunder Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 It looks to be a sea robin skull . 2 " We are not separate and independent entities, but like links in a chain, and we could not by any means be what we are without those who went before us and showed us the way. " Thomas Mann My Library Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CLC Posted February 8, 2017 Author Share Posted February 8, 2017 This is last pic but I think you're right with the sea robin, you rock! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abyssunder Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 " We are not separate and independent entities, but like links in a chain, and we could not by any means be what we are without those who went before us and showed us the way. " Thomas Mann My Library Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belemniten Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Nice find ! Many greetings from Germany ! Have a great time with many fossils Regards Sebastian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boesse Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Agreed on Prionotus (sea robin) - I just picked up a nice one from Folly Beach SC yesterday (Plio-Pleistocene). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CLC Posted February 9, 2017 Author Share Posted February 9, 2017 Nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
History Hunter02 Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Definitely a sea robin/ other fish species. Is it fully fossilized? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CLC Posted February 11, 2017 Author Share Posted February 11, 2017 From my novice opinion, I would not say it is fully fossilized, appreciate the input! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boesse Posted February 12, 2017 Share Posted February 12, 2017 If unclear about the state of fossilization, try a flame test - bone with collagen remaining will strongly stink like burning hair if you momentarily hold a flame to it; if there's no collagen, it will just smell like the match or lighter. One caveat is that collagen can remain in bone for a long period of time, including Pleistocene fossils. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Siphuncle Posted February 12, 2017 Share Posted February 12, 2017 I like to supplement the flame test with a "sound check", since my olfactory is out of calibration, and I tend to smell "stream stink" no matter what age of bone I burn. I tap on suspected fossil bones with a rock, screwdriver, or something hard, then note the resulting tone. I tend to equate a dull thud with collagen laden, recent bone. A glassy ring makes me smile. This is not very scientific as described, but is one non destructive test I employ at times to help me decide whether a Bos/Bison bone, for instance, goes home with me, or finds a trajectory terminating above terrace level. Note: This test is probably more reliable with thoroughly dried specimens. If the scales of field judgment are leaning toward recent, but I want further confirmation, destructive testing comes into play next. I'll often attempt to snap a low confidence "fossil" bone in half in my hands or across a rock. The way "the cookie crumbles" tells me what I need to know. If it bends before it breaks, I equate this with collagen = too recent for my interests. If you see just a surface river stain with bone white wall, this also lines up with recent bone. Brittle or crumbly fracture raises my eyebrows, especially when funky colors are evident permeating the bone wall. Couple this with mineral deposits inside the marrow cavity and you'll see me reaching for the superglue and hoping I have all the pieces. My point is that I can't always age a bone from outward appearances alone. I've never seen the techniques noted above in print, so they are simply my own real world observations, and you are free to take them with a grain of salt. Grüße, Daniel A. Wöhr aus Südtexas "To the motivated go the spoils." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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