Can anyone tell me what this is?

[freckles1315]

Hi, I live in Long Beach, CA and I recently found an object that I believe is part of a the cartilage of a saw shark's nose. Though I could be completely wrong as I have no skeletal model or photographs to compare my findings to. I have attached three pictures to this post. My friend's believe that it is part of the tail of a horseshoe crab. I am extremely curious. Any and all ideas and suggestions are appreciated! Thanks!

 

[DennisW]

I believe it is something else. Here is a picture of a Saw Nose Shark nose, if you will. Not sure what you've found.

 

[Walter]

I don't think either of you are right. It's not a Sawfish. Dennis posted a photo of a Smalltooth Sawfish rostrum, the Largetooth Sawfish rostrum is similar, but different. It is not like the object you have. While it looks somewhat like a Horseshoe Crab's opisthosoma (the back part of the body to which the tail attaches), the spines on the opisthosoma are not firmly attached, they move and can easily detach after death. I don't know what you have, but I'm pretty sure of what you don't have. Good luck.

 

[k00lit]

Well it looks like a saw shark nose .

 

[hbhobby]

to me it kinda looks like part of a palm tree?

 

[riverdiver]

Saw Shark, lets get a picture with your full face in it Freckles1315.

 

[captainfizz]

That ain't like any horseshoe crab I ever saw (pun intended) I believe your right, but would have to see it close up to be sure. Fizz

 

[Teamcasa]

to me it kinda looks like part of a palm tree?

That was my first thought.

 

[TerryInFlorida]

Looks just like a piece of palm branch to me too, looks pretty fibrous.

 

[Walter]

to me it kinda looks like part of a palm tree?

By George, I think he's got it.