Marine Vertebra? Fossil?

[Onetoomany]

First time posting. I found what looks to be some kind of marine mammal vertebra on a beach in FL. There appears to be an epiphysis (if that’s the correct term) ring on each end, with the midsection presenting some kind of porous holes (bone?). Apologies if it is not a fossil, but I’m not sure; it is pretty heavy given its size (sponge for comparison). 

[shark57]

Looks like a very worn dolphin vertebra.

[Onetoomany]

59 minutes ago, shark57 said:

Looks like a very worn dolphin vertebra.

Interesting. Is there any way to tell its age? And what could the white tubular structures be?

[Ludwigia]

The white tubular structures are tube worm (serpula) casings which had attached themselves recently. As to the age, I defer to the Florida mammal experts here.

[Shellseeker]

13 hours ago, Onetoomany said:

Interesting. Is there any way to tell its age? And what could the white tubular structures be?

As others have indicated , the size seems consistent with Dolphin.

The non appetizing answer to age is No.

One really needs to "date" the layer in which the fossils was found.

 

But there is a way to speculate based on some factual evidence. 

Depends a little on which Florida Beach.  Florida originally came above the waves 45-50 mya in the Early Eocene. However only the Half of Florida closest to Georgia was land or Beach like Pensacola. 

As you  went south , it was ocean to and below Tampa until the early Miocene,  say 20 myas. 

 

There are some coral reefs and and marine fossils where I hunt in Fort Meade. I tend to think that they were laid down some 2-5 mya during the Pliocene. Some lower spots where coral and dolphins could thrive and some much deeper spots where Whales could roam.

 

There are some research papers that discuss Florida sea levels over time, that are interesting to read.