Can you identify this bone?

[JohnRich 4]

I found this bone on a gravel bar along the Brazos River in Texas.

It's rather odd in shape, sort of like a fan or a wing, and very thin, like a fragile seashell, with a stub on one end. Photos of both sides are attached.

Can anyone identify what critter this came from?

It seems kind of fishy or bird-like to me...

[normiss 900]

PETA will have your ass for shooting that thing John!


Are fish bones heavier or more solid than bird bones? Just a thought...

[quade 4]

It's the scapula from something.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scapula

Not a fish . . . never. Probably not a bird.

I don't think it's either a dog or cat, but from the size of it in your hand I'd say it's from an animal that is approximately cat sized.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[warpedskydiver 0]

Looks to be the scapula of a small mammal.

Edited: I just saw that someone else posted that.

Oh well

[quade 4]

What kind of critters are common to the area?

NVM . . . just reread that you found in on the Brazos . . . could have washed down from a bajillion square miles.

Still, can you be more specific about where on the river? A lat-long maybe?

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[nanook 1]

Jack rabbit?

_____________________________

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[popsjumper 2]

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Jack rabbit?

Very close.

Actually that's a jack-a-lope.

My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239

[airtwardo 7]

Didn't find a bunch of pre-'71 20 dollar bills and a pair of cheap sunglasses with that did ya John?!

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[Andy9o8 2]

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Looks to be the scapula of a small mammal.

No, but you're close. It's the scapula of a fetal pterodactyl, probably about 6 or 7 weeks into gestation.

[JohnRich 4]

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quade: It's the scapula from something.
Not a fish . . . never. Probably not a bird.
I don't think it's either a dog or cat, but from the size of it in your hand I'd say it's from an animal that is approximately cat sized.

I think you've got it generally identified there! Thanks.

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What kind of critters are common to the area?
NVM . . . just reread that you found in on the Brazos . . . could have washed down from a bajillion square miles.
Still, can you be more specific about where on the river? A lat-long maybe?

It was on a gravel bar between Navasota and Hempstead. See my thread titled "Brazos Canoe Trip" for photos and maps. I don't have a lat-long.

The Brazos is 800 miles long, with about 600 miles upstream from this location, way up into north Texas, with watershed from New Mexico too.

Small mammals common to the area include: wild pigs, bobcats, raccoons, opossum, deer, rabbit, and beaver.

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airtwardo: Didn't find a bunch of pre-'71 20 dollar bills and a pair of cheap sunglasses with that did ya John?!

I believe you're thinking of a different river there. You haven't given up on finding your lost loot yet?

Thanks everyone for your help. It's nice to know what it is, even if it can't be zeroed-in to a particular type of animal. I never realized a scapula could be so thin.

Attached: the bits of petrified wood I found on a different gravel bar.