Can someone help me ID this Fossil?

[Wayne Smith]

I found this 2-3/8 inch fossil on the beach at Ponte Vedra, Florida last year.

Though it looks to me like a bone from some type of prehistoric Crocodile, I am yet to find evidence of a Crocodile with horns on his head.

The fossil measures:

2-3/8″ Long

1-7/8 ” High (from the tip of the horn/spike to the bottom of the base)

1-1/8″ Wide

Due to the non-symmetric shape of the two sides of the horn, it appears to be either the left side of two rearward-facing horns, or the right side of two forward-facing  horns on a Skull.

I would be very grateful if you could help me identify the origin of this fossil.

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[William Howat]

I belive that what you have found is an upper mouthplate of a drum fish.

I would lean more towards modern, than fossil.

…but it’s still a really interesting piece!

-Bill

[Wayne Smith]

Hello @william-howat –

Thanks for your input.  I googled “mouthplate of a drum fish” and bingo, no doubt, that is what I have here.

I really appreciate your help.

Best Regards,

Wayne

[Jeanette Pirlo]

Hello All,

@cindy-birkner sent me this fossil for ID.  Can someone help out?  @cindy-birkner can you give a little background on the specimen?

Thanks,

Jeanette

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[Eleanor Gardner]

@jeanette-pirlo, @cindy-birkner – The images show two different specimens, correct?  The coloration and shape certainly look different.  The first picture looks like a gastropod cast to me.  I’m not sure what the second and third pictures are.  @vperez, @rleder, @aaron-woodruff – any ideas??

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