Tooth? Claw? Vertebra? Need help with ID

[Kirk Ensign]

This is another backyard find that I am having trouble identifying and any help would be much appreciated. It resembles a claw or tooth but I am probably wrong. I live in north Texas and my property is located along the Cretaceous Duck Creek Formation: Mortoniceras and Eopachydiscus (thanks to DPS ammonite for helping me identify the formation). Would love to hear from anyone who may know what it is. Thanks in advance. 

[JohnBrewer]

Welcome to the forum, Kirk. 

 

Im afraid all I see here is a suggestively shaped rock. We’ll see what others say. 

[Darktooth]

21 minutes ago, JohnBrewer said:

Welcome to the forum, Kirk. 

 

Im afraid all I see here is a suggestively shaped rock. We’ll see what others say. 

I agree.

[Kirk Ensign]

Gotcha. I was leaning that direction as well but wanted to check as it is a very odd snapped little fella. Thanks for your time Sir!

[Kirk Ensign]

Thank you as well Darktooth! My apologies for any wasted time, still learning but all the posts are starting to help me hone in.

[digit]

No time wasted if knowledge is transferred in the process.

 

Agreed that it is an oddly shaped rock. Unfortunately, no sign of a characteristic bone or enamel texture which would have then continued the thought process to determine what it could be. Instead, it's just another of Ma Nature's suggestively shaped items she leaves lying about to attract our attention. Sounds like your property is in a fossiliferous formation so we look forward to more quizzical items (possibly some of those ammonites).

 

 

Cheers.

 

-Ken

[Kirk Ensign]

Awesome!! This is all great feedback and is certainly helping me learn more. Can’t thank you all enough for just helping me become more educated! Here’s a few more small guys I pulled out of my fence line this week. Getting harder and harder to justify all the holes in my yard to my wife but it’s just too darn fun....

[Mark Kmiecik]

The last three pictures are all nautiloid (ammonite?) fragments. If you can find the formation these came from in an exposure nearby you will probably find some complete specimens. That way you won't have to dig holes in the yard.

[Kirk Ensign]

Really? Okay! On it! I’ve found dozens but have really been wanting to find an intact, complete specimen as I really love the “sacred spiral” form to them and want one to properly display in my home. Thank you again! 

[Mark Kmiecik]

6 minutes ago, Kirk Ensign said:

Really? Okay! On it! I’ve found dozens but have really been wanting to find an intact, complete specimen as I really love the “sacred spiral” form to them and want one to properly display in my home. Thank you again! 

I don't know if you're into mathematics, but the spiral shape is based on a numerical sequence called a "fibonacci series" and the shape is known as a "golden spiral". Google it. It's also the basis for other organic growth features like the double spiral of sunflower seeds.

[Kirk Ensign]

Yes!! I’m infatuated with it an have been watching  a load of videos and lectures on the Fibonacci series as of late. It absolutely blows mind how it applies to everything from plant life, to animal life to the universe. It’s incredible how nature can work in such uniform, gorgeous ways.  Thanks for your time today Mark, much appreciated!

[Mark Kmiecik]

2 minutes ago, Kirk Ensign said:

Yes!! I’m infatuated with it an have been watching  a load of videos and lectures on the Fibonacci series as of late. It absolutely blows mind how it applies to everything from plant life, to animal life to the universe. It’s incredible how nature can work in such uniform, gorgeous ways.  Thanks for your time today Mark, much appreciated!

No sweat - I'm having fun. By the way, the rock you posted for ID is a petrified witch's nose.  All kidding aside, there appears to be some fossil organic material in the second photo. A better shot of that may prove to be helpful. Better lighting (outdoors, but not direct sunlight), and better focus (anchor the camera to something solid). If you get close and it starts to get out-of-focus, back out til focused and shoot. Crop the excess and post.

[Kirk Ensign]

Hahaha, it just may be the ol’ witch’s nose! Man, thanks for those tips. Sitting her trying my very best to have the camera pick up what I’m seeing in person and not as easy as I would have suspected. Thanks again man, learning so much from you kind folks. It’s not often these days that people want to help for the sake of helping so I appreciate it

[Kirk Ensign]

Okay, took your advice and hopefully these are at least a bit better...

[Mark Kmiecik]

Better photos -- thank you. I don't see anything that I could definitely ID as fossil. There are a couple of suggestive areas but nothing that I can nail down as positive. Others may, I can't.

[Kirk Ensign]

Gotcha. That natural light sure makes a difference though. Thanks for the tips. I have plenty more I want to post and will def make sure I’m getting the best possible photos up first time around. 

[Haravex]

First one you posted is a suggestive shaped rock, the rest are ammonites.

[FossilNerd]

I agree that it is a suggestive shaped rock. Wish I could find nautiloid fossils in my fence line and yard!  Fingers crossed that you find a whole one! 

 

Get a dog if you don't have one. Blame it for the holes.  

[Kirk Ensign]

Now THATS an idea!....