Foshunter Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 (edited) This is the plastron, bottom plate, of an unknown marine turtle that was found in the North Sulphur River. I wish there was more of it but what I have shows that a Mosasaur will take a bite out of anything that swims. The bottom bite impressions illustrate the front teeth clamping down on the bottom plate also a few teeth marks to the right where the Mos. took a second bite of the apple. The piece is 8 by 8 inches at it's widest and 1/2 inch thick. Mosasaurs were like alligators, if it fits in the mouth swallow, if not, tear it to pieces then down the tube, they weren't selective eaters.---Tom Edited June 17, 2012 by Foshunter Grow Old Kicking And Screaming !!"Don't Tread On Me" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sward Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 Nice find! I assume the shell stayed intact since the breaks in the shell are not where the bite marks are. It's a shame one of the teeth didn't remain in the shell. Would you happend to have any pics of the bottom side of the shell. I would be interested in seeing the bottom side for some compative reasons. SWardSoutheast Missouri (formerly Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX) USA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foshunter Posted June 17, 2012 Author Share Posted June 17, 2012 (edited) That is the bottom side, which is flat, top side would be curved, wish I had a part of the top shell at the bite contact--Tom Edited June 17, 2012 by Foshunter Grow Old Kicking And Screaming !!"Don't Tread On Me" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sward Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 That is the bottom side, which is flat, top side would be curved, wish I had a part of the top shell at the bite contact--Tom Sorry, what I was meaning was do you have any pics of the opposite side of these pieces? SWardSoutheast Missouri (formerly Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX) USA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 FAN-TASTIC fossil! The physical evidence is unambiguous and incontrovertible; just an awesome piece! Was it found this month? (hint hint) "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foshunter Posted June 17, 2012 Author Share Posted June 17, 2012 (edited) FAN-TASTIC fossil! The physical evidence is unambiguous and incontrovertible; just an awesome piece! Was it found this month? (hint hint) I wish but no, only found the two pieces went together and glued then in place yesterday----Tom Edited June 17, 2012 by Foshunter Grow Old Kicking And Screaming !!"Don't Tread On Me" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickNC Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 Very nice. Love that piece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullsnake Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 That is really cool! Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Down under fossil hunter Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Great fossil, I have a large Xiphactinus jaw that has similar indentations in it. I wonder if they are also from a mosasaur? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
primativesloth Posted June 30, 2012 Share Posted June 30, 2012 Now that's an impressive fossil! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foshunter Posted July 1, 2012 Author Share Posted July 1, 2012 That just shows that Mosasaur would take a bite out of just about anything, the bottom bone on this piece is about 1/2 inch thick and was too thick for it to penetrate.The mystery is did the turtle survive the attack?--Tom Grow Old Kicking And Screaming !!"Don't Tread On Me" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xiphactinus Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 very cool fossil! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwigia Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 very cool fossil! ...and good detective work too! Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger http://www.steinkern.de/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommabetts Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 That is a very nice find, and to find both pieces is something. Thank you for sharing with us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Members Shanlynx Posted July 6, 2012 New Members Share Posted July 6, 2012 Meaningful fossil! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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