Tooth I.D.?

[Jerry Hughes]

Found in the southern California desert—anyone have any ideas of what animal this tooth belonged to???

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[William Howat]

It looks like a partial Peccary molar to me…

Hope this helps.

-Bill

[Jerry Hughes]

Thank you, Bill.  I will put that out to my local experts for some feedback.  Have a great New Year!

[Victor Perez]

Hi Jerry @jerry-hughes, I don’t think it’s a tooth. From the first photo, my gut reaction was that it was a piece of slag because it appears to have a metallic luster. However, the lineations on the other photos made me second guess myself. If it is a fossil, I’m thinking it is an internal mold of an invertebrate, possibly a barnacle or clam.

[Jerry Hughes]

Thank you, Victor, for your response.  When I collected it in the field, that’s exactly what I thought it was too!  Since then, I’ve submitted it to various people who know their “stuff” and having more than a photo to go on, they have concluded that it was a tooth.  (I actually found another tooth of the same kind at the same site but don’t have photos of that tooth “cleaned up” so it wouldn’t be of much value in a picture here.)   One paleontologist, just by looking at the pictures, thought that it may be crocodilian but he is going to get a first-hand look at it soon so I hope for more info from him.  I will post the answer if and when I get a positive I.D.   Thank you again,

Jerry

[Jerry Hughes]

Actually, although not cleaned I will post other pictures of the other tooth that I found at that site.  Poor but better than nothing.  Thanks.

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