hahnewald Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 Hello to all, I encountered this piece among a gravel bed at low tide on a beach along the West coast of South Africa, close to Cape Town. A location where fossilized shark teeth, marine mammal bones and vertebrae from the Miocene are found alongside Pleistocene fossils like horse teeth and mammoth tooth fragments. Unfortunately, this piece is not very well preserved owing to the relentless waters of the Cape. I'd be thrilled to know if anybody could assist with an ID, and if so, point to any diagnostic features. Scale bar is in cm. Thanks to anyone having a look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 @Harry Pristis @Boesse 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...
Lorne Ledger Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 Assuming the scale is in centimeters - it does resemble a claw core to me - possibly crocodile? Just guessing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Pristis Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 Could be an ungual from something, but I think it's unidentifiable at this stage of wear. 1 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...
hahnewald Posted November 3, 2021 Author Share Posted November 3, 2021 12 hours ago, Lorne Ledger said: Assuming the scale is in centimeters - it does resemble a claw core to me - possibly crocodile? Just guessing. Thanks for the comment, @Lorne Ledger. Were there any indicators, other than possibly size, that made you guess croc? Reptilian was definitely included in my guesses, based on possible age of deposits and regional prevalence of the class. To confirm, scale is in cm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hahnewald Posted November 3, 2021 Author Share Posted November 3, 2021 12 hours ago, Harry Pristis said: Could be an ungual from something, but I think it's unidentifiable at this stage of wear. @Harry Pristis Thank you for a dependable and speedy response. I'll just have to get out there and spot a more 'clawy' claw... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorne Ledger Posted November 3, 2021 Share Posted November 3, 2021 58 minutes ago, hahnewald said: Thanks for the comment, @Lorne Ledger. Were there any indicators, other than possibly size, that made you guess croc? Reptilian was definitely included in my guesses, based on possible age of deposits and regional prevalence of the class. To confirm, scale is in cm. It generally resembles alligator claws I have found in Florida - my guess is based on that, location found and size really. I also agree with @Harry Pristis that it is too worn for any positive ID sadly. So yes - go find a more clawy claw!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boesse Posted November 3, 2021 Share Posted November 3, 2021 I wonder if this is actually a small horn core. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Pristis Posted November 3, 2021 Share Posted November 3, 2021 1 hour ago, Boesse said: I wonder if this is actually a small horn core. I think Boesse's horn core guess is more reasonable than crocodilian ungual. 2 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...
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