Harpacodus Pentalodont Fossil Tooth

Here are some images of the Harpacodus dentatus? petalodont fossil tooth. It was found in the Big Clifty Formation of the Indiana Springs Shale Member of Crawford County, Indiana, USA. The creature existed in the Mississippian Period.

See another example of one at the Indiana State Museum web site HERE.

Thanks to Mark for showing me this fossil.

Ruby Red Shark Tooth Fossil

This is an interesting color for a fossil... ruby red. The following are images of the Thrinacodus sp shark fossil tooth. Thrinacodus was named by Susan Turner in 1982 and this genus is known for its three hook like cusps. It was found in the Big Clifty Formation of the Indiana Springs Shale Member of Crawford County, Indiana, USA. The creature existed in the Mississippian Period.

Why is this fossil so red? Iron content maybe?

Thanks to Mark for showing me this fossil.

Mutant Blastoid Fossil

This unique Pentremites sp. blastoid fossil was found in the Indian Springs Formation of Crawford County, Indiana, USA. It is unique because instead of having five ambulacra (food gathering sections populated with hair like brachioles), this specimen only had three. It is about 1 cm long so it was able to function with fewer sections and grow to this respectable size. Why it mutated would be a good question to get an answer to.

I did not look to see how many holes were at the top of it. If there were only three holes and more of these creatures existed it could be called a Tritremites sp.

This animal lived in the Mississippian Period.

Thanks to Mark for showing me this fossil.