bananaslug Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 Hello, I am new to the forum and seeking some information on what I have found. This was found yesterday in Manford, Oklahoma along the Arkansas River basin. It appears to be sandstone and several layers had fossil shells. I saw this in a newer layer than the shells are in and it appears to my untrained and ignorant eye to be a snake, a lizard, some kind of serpentine fish, etc... Can anyone shed some light on this for me? If you need any more information I will do my best. Thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockwood Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 I believe it's an ichno or trace fossil. Superb ! should get many responses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bananaslug Posted February 27, 2017 Author Share Posted February 27, 2017 Thanks for the reply! I'll start by learning what those terms are thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynot Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 Welcome to TFF! This is called a trace fossil and is where a critter was feeding. Nice pseudo snake though. Tony PS Rockwood beat Me on this one. 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...
Harry Pristis Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 Yes, ichnofossil. Snakes don't preserve with flesh on their bones. 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...
Kane Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 A seconder for ichnofossil. I wonder what made that interesting burrow? When it comes to fossilization, it is uncommon (and only under very specific conditions) that soft parts get preserved. If it were a snake, lizard, or fish, it is much more likely that a fossil of said specimens would be showing skeletal remains. Still, no harm in making sure by posting in the ID section! Welcome to TFF. ...How to Philosophize with a Hammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bananaslug Posted February 27, 2017 Author Share Posted February 27, 2017 Fantastic. I was a bit confused by it for the very fact that, had it been a vertebrate, the soft tissue had been preserved. I couldn't understand how that would happen or why it was so close to marine life. I had a hunch that it was just simular enough in appearance that my brain had tricked me into seeing what I wanted to see... much like seeing a face in the clouds or something similar lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 Aye, pareidolia has probably afflicted nearly everyone here at one time or another But it's still a pretty cool trace fossil. Hopefully you kept it. ...How to Philosophize with a Hammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynot Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 I have to say that it does resemble a snake, and probably would have made Me jump if I came across it in the field. 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...
Rockwood Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 I'm going to run coprolite up the pole to see if anyone salutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 1 minute ago, Rockwood said: I'm going to run coprolite up the pole to see if anyone salutes. That has got to be the set-up for a very bad joke ...How to Philosophize with a Hammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockwood Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 We'll see Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westcoast Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 It looks like psammichnites 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilDAWG Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 I don't think that would taste very good on my psammich!* Don * "sammich" is American slang for sandwich. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockwood Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 (edited) Does look like a good fit. Similar process just on the other end strike this not so similar Edited February 27, 2017 by Rockwood stupidity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bananaslug Posted February 27, 2017 Author Share Posted February 27, 2017 29 minutes ago, FossilDAWG said: I don't think that would taste very good on my psammich!* Don * "sammich" is American slang for sandwich. Haha I was thinking the same thing. Lol! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bananaslug Posted February 27, 2017 Author Share Posted February 27, 2017 The terminal end of the trace... the part that I'd assumed was the head of a snake... do you suppose that is the final resting place of the critter that made it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynot Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 2 minutes ago, bananaslug said: The terminal end of the trace... the part that I'd assumed was the head of a snake... do you suppose that is the final resting place of the critter that made it? I do not see any critter there so probably not where it died, just where it quit eating. 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...
Rockwood Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 They are thought to feed just below the surface within siphon reach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westcoast Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 Correct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piranha Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 Gordia isp. is another trace fossil possibility from Oklahoma. Key features of Gordia include: alternating straight and winding path, self over-crossing, and frequent horseshoe-shaped turns. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeschWhat Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 3 hours ago, Rockwood said: I'm going to run coprolite up the pole to see if anyone salutes. Nice thought, Rockwoood. I don't think it is coprolite because it is too granular. The only thing that I know of that has granular poop is a parrot fish. You know those beautiful white sandy beaches in Hawaii? Yep...mostly parrot fish poop. Check it out HERE. 1 Lori www.areallycrappystory.com/fossils www.facebook.com/fossilpoo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piranha Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 25 minutes ago, piranha said: Gordia isp. is another trace fossil possibility from Oklahoma. Key features of Gordia include: alternating straight and winding path, self over-crossing, and frequent horseshoe-shaped turns. The UO ichnospecialist is calling it Scolicia: Q: This trace looks similar to Gordia, Psammichnites or Scolicia. The self-crossing and horseshoe turns seems to fit with Gordia. What do you think? A: "No I think it is another Scolicia. They do show this behavior as well. Gordia is a simple burrow." 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doushantuo Posted February 28, 2017 Share Posted February 28, 2017 LECTOTYPE! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doushantuo Posted February 28, 2017 Share Posted February 28, 2017 Scolicia is commonly ascribed to echinoids(sea urchins) e.g.: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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