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SE Texas - Small vertebra


johnnyvaldez7.jv

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johnnyvaldez7.jv

I found this small vertebra the other day on a river gravel bank. It's different from others I've found... the spinal canal has a small opening compared to the body... but I really was wondering about the lines that go outward from the body on the transverse process. I haven't seen that on any of my other vertebrae finds. I wondered if it's unique to a specific mammal?  This bone is solid and completely mineralized. 

It measures 2.25 inches across the front x 2.25 inches front to back with what's left. 1.5 inches top to bottom. 

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Generally a small neutral canal points to caudal (tail). You might look at alligator, sloth, elephant, animals that have larger tail bones.

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johnnyvaldez7.jv

@fossilus That's real interesting. That's good info and I'm going to start looking in that direction. Thanks!

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3 hours ago, val horn said:

?croc

Yes, my first thought would be to check gator- it kind of has that look.

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Looks like alligator to me, maybe one of the caudals? Even though both ends are pretty worn the vertebra looks like it has the front concave and back convex feature that's characteristic of reptiles. 

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johnnyvaldez7.jv

Thanks everyone. I should have paid attention to the convex side and how pronounced it is. I have seen that on gators before and it didn't click. I wonder how big it was? Seems like a decent size vertebra.

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