PODIGGER Posted April 20, 2019 Share Posted April 20, 2019 I am a novice fossil hunter seeking some confirmation on a couple of finds in the Peace River, FL this week. I believe the images in the attached photo are a Tapir tooth and Alligator jaw section with two teeth. I would appreciate help in confirming or properly identifying these finds. I am also interested in information on how I can clean the "Alligator" jaw/teeth to remove green algae without damaging the specimen. Thanks 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted April 20, 2019 Share Posted April 20, 2019 Welcome to the Forum. Well lit pictures of the mandible from all directions would be helpful. Also, an image of the chewing surface and other side of the tooth will help as well. First image, brightened and cropped. 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...
Harry Pristis Posted April 20, 2019 Share Posted April 20, 2019 Welcome to the Forum. The tooth doesn't appear to be from a tapir, but the image is too dark and unfocused to say with confidence what it is. 1 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...
PODIGGER Posted April 20, 2019 Author Share Posted April 20, 2019 Tim - thank you for lightening the picture. looks much better. The picture is of the chewing surface the opposite side is the root (only 1/2). I will reshoot different angles of both items and repost to possibly help in the ID. Harry - Any idea if not Tapir? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PODIGGER Posted April 20, 2019 Author Share Posted April 20, 2019 With help from my photographer wife I can provide the following MUCH better photos. Here is the individual tooth. Original photo showed bite surface. these are bottom and sides. If not Tapir, what could it be? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PODIGGER Posted April 20, 2019 Author Share Posted April 20, 2019 Here are the shots of the mandible and teeth. Alligator? Also curious as to how I can clean it without causing damage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Pristis Posted April 20, 2019 Share Posted April 20, 2019 Looks like a recent 'gator premaxilla. Technically, this is probably illegal to possess without a permit. I might wet the bone in plain water, then dip it briefly with a mild laundry bleach solution. Rinse in plain water. Repeat as necessary. Images of tooth roots are usually not informative. The occlusal surface is the best exposure for cheek teeth like these: 4 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...
hemipristis Posted April 20, 2019 Share Posted April 20, 2019 Correct about the jaw piece w/teeth. Gator or croc. The pits in the jaw are the distinguishing feature. I also concur that it's likely recent. 'Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.' George Santayana Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PODIGGER Posted April 21, 2019 Author Share Posted April 21, 2019 Thank you hemipristis. I appreciate the confirmation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClearLake Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 On 4/20/2019 at 5:00 PM, Harry Pristis said: then dip it briefly with a mild laundry bleach solution Bleach (even mild) is pretty bad for bone. Modern bone is much better cleaned in hydrogen peroxide (stuff from the store is fine), just soak it in that full strength and see it that cleans it up any. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PODIGGER Posted May 8, 2019 Author Share Posted May 8, 2019 ClearLake, Thank you. I did use the peroxide on a couple of items and worked great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crocophile Posted May 11, 2020 Share Posted May 11, 2020 That left prefrontal section of the jaw is very familiar to me, and it is certainly Alligator; judging by the apparent approximate age, it would almost certainly be A. mississippiensis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpc Posted May 11, 2020 Share Posted May 11, 2020 11 minutes ago, Crocophile said: That left prefrontal section of the jaw is very familiar to me, and it is certainly Alligator; judging by the apparent approximate age, it would almost certainly be A. mississippiensis. Premaxilla rather than prefrontal, which is a bone closer to the eyes. 'prf' onthe drawing below. The bone might also be the end of the dentary... need more photos for me to ID it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crocophile Posted May 11, 2020 Share Posted May 11, 2020 Thank you, jpc! I was posting well past my bedtime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpc Posted May 11, 2020 Share Posted May 11, 2020 56 minutes ago, Crocophile said: Thank you, jpc! I was posting well past my bedtime. easy mistake to make. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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