Whale ear bone identification

[FossilFranco]

Hello Fellow Fossil Enthusiasts, 

 

Long time reader, first time poster. I recently came across this inner ear bone of a whale. I have no idea where it was discovered but I think it is fossilized. I would love a second opinion!

 

Any ideas of what genus it could belong to? It measures approx 4 x 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 inches. 

 

Thank you and happy fossil hunting!

 

Fossil Franco

[Shellseeker]

5 hours ago, FossilFranco said:

Hello Fellow Fossil Enthusiasts, 

 

Long time reader, first time poster. I recently came across this inner ear bone of a whale. I have no idea where it was discovered but I think it is fossilized. I would love a second opinion!

 

Any ideas of what genus it could belong to? It measures approx 4 x 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 inches. 

 

Thank you and happy fossil hunting!

 

Fossil Franco

 

Welcome to TFF,  

I can give you hints, but you are going to really work to identify a species with no Idea of where this fossil came from...

You have a fossil Sperm Whale (Physeter) Bulla. There is only 1 living Sperm Whale, all other members  are extinct...

 

This one came from Australia..

 

To start on a journey of education , start on search for "whale bulla" on AND rather than OR in "everywhere"  You can see a lot of these...

 

You can also do the same search on Google.... and see a lot more, plus read the text.  Click on the IMAGE view, and find whale bullas from all over the world... 

 

I absolutely love learning about whale fossils.... Jack