Turtle Tail Fossil?

[bocephus99]

A friend of mine found this where she has recovered many different types of fossils here in Ky. The closest thing we could match it with was a turtle?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[Harry Pristis]

It appears to be an orthoconic cephalopod, often termed "Orthoceras." In other words, it appears to be a nautiloid with a straight, rather than coiled, shell.

Not a turtle tail. These cephalopods are paleozoic, and they pre-date turtles.

 

[ohio]

Harry is right. I live in SW Ohio and such fossils are common here. I often find trilobite fossils in association with them as they feed on trilobites.

Chuck

 

[Tuberale]

That's one fine fossil, Chuck. Lots of detail, and much older than anything we find here in OR.

I was going to suggest bocephus's fossil was a crinoid, but fortunately Harry identified it before I could display my ignorance.

 

[allen]

that will be a nice conversational piece !!!