Turtle Fossil and Question ?

[Zesus]

Hey guys, 

 

So I found this and I thought maybe it looked like a turtle flipper?

 

Also, a side question. Is it possible for pigment to still be present in fossil turtle scutes?

 

Thanks for your time and help!

 

 

[Fossildude19]

Sorry, but this isn't a fossil.

Looks like quartzite to me. 

Regards,

[ynot]

1 hour ago, Zesus said:

 I thought maybe it looked like a turtle flipper

A turtle's "flipper" is made from many bones, similar to the human hand or foot.

This piece does not have the structure or shape of any of those bones.

I agree with Tim, a quartz family rock.

 

[Zesus]

im sorry, apologies, I uploaded the wrong folder. This was my the rock i was referring too. 

 

[Fossildude19]

Unfortunately, still not a fossil.  

[Zesus]

also this one. #2

 

When does soft tissue fossilize? What type of conditions

 

 

[Zesus]

interesting, it really does look like it connected to something right there. 

[Zesus]

This looks like somehow preserved turtle shell as well.. Is that even possible?

[Fossildude19]

Soft tissue preservation is quite rare. 

My meager understanding of it is that iron needs to be present, and anoxic conditions, or mummification before fossilization (as in some very rare dinosaur fossils)

Mineralization of body parts other than bones is exceedingly rare. 

 

The areas you point out are probably voids created by gas bubbles or dissolved minerals. 

I see what appear to be quartz or calcite veins\crystals on the item.

No bone, no skin. Only rock. 

[Zesus]

thank you for the responses FossilDude!!  always appreciated

[Fossildude19]

No, ... it really doesn't.      That looks like a rock. 

 

How Fossil turtle shell, actually looks.  I would suggest joining a fossil or mineral club in your area, to learn what to look for, what fossils actually look like, and meet like minded people with experience in your area.  

Regards,

 

[Zesus]

yes,  it does...

[Kane]

This turtle shell has evident pattern symmetry, whereas the rock you have posted does not as it is criss-crossed and banded in several directions and thicknesses.

[Zesus]

maybe the turtle melted, got cooked a bit in a vent deep under water

[Kane]

1 minute ago, Zesus said:

maybe the turtle melted, got cooked a bit in a vent deep under water

I don't think turtles "melt." (except the chocolate variety).

[Zesus]

maybe it got stuck on land when a mountain rose up, and ended up drying out in a salty muck. so was cured, kinda like jerky

[Zesus]

2 minutes ago, Kane said:

I don't think turtles "melt." (except the chocolate variety).

low and slow for best results, low and slow

[Fossildude19]

31 minutes ago, Zesus said:

yes,  it does...

 

Really???  

Which of these looks more like a fossil turtle shell?

 

 

 

I'm beginning to think you may be having fun at our expense.  

[Auspex]

A superficial color pattern does not a plastron make.

You have a colorful mineral specimen of non-organic origin. It never was a living creature of any kind.

If you cannot accept that, then I suggest you get an opinion from a paleontologist at the nearest museum.

Seriously, why on earth would we argue the point else wise?