It's not my tooth, pinky swear!
July 13, 2018 12:07 AM Subscribe
My friend found this tooth in Lake Wedington in northwest Arkansas.
She's asked biologists, veterinarians, doctors, geologists, gas station clerks and everyone else she's met for the last 20 years but so far no one has known.
Do you have any idea what animal this tooth might have come from and - especially - the animal's history? Why is it so obscure? Why did it (or its tooth) turn up where it did?
She's asked biologists, veterinarians, doctors, geologists, gas station clerks and everyone else she's met for the last 20 years but so far no one has known.
Do you have any idea what animal this tooth might have come from and - especially - the animal's history? Why is it so obscure? Why did it (or its tooth) turn up where it did?
This post was deleted for the following reason: This question does not appear to have been asked in good faith. -- Eyebrows McGee
Best answer: Nthing that is a herbivore tooth and I am SO excited I know this!!!
I know for a FACT because I am a long time member that you can email the Natural History Museum of LA with pics (especially a pic with a penny for scale) to get a definitive answer. It may be a fossil, or more recent. Memail if you want help because I have friends that work there and may be able to expedite your inquiry. In general, you can email members@NHM.org to get an answer. I don't think they'll care you are not a member, but I'll submit the pic and follow up in person there's an issue.
They are super science hereos and are happy to dig in (pun intended) but I'm available if you need a go between. Cheers!
posted by jbenben at 1:04 AM on July 13, 2018 [5 favorites]
I know for a FACT because I am a long time member that you can email the Natural History Museum of LA with pics (especially a pic with a penny for scale) to get a definitive answer. It may be a fossil, or more recent. Memail if you want help because I have friends that work there and may be able to expedite your inquiry. In general, you can email members@NHM.org to get an answer. I don't think they'll care you are not a member, but I'll submit the pic and follow up in person there's an issue.
They are super science hereos and are happy to dig in (pun intended) but I'm available if you need a go between. Cheers!
posted by jbenben at 1:04 AM on July 13, 2018 [5 favorites]
I'm not an osteologist, just an archaeologist, but my hunch is fishy too.
Have you tried a Natural History Museum? Twitter has a lot of museums and curators, if you're on there, try tagging a few with the pictures.
There's also many beachcombing and beach finds groups on Facebook, which often have a few experts around who help with IDs.
posted by Helga-woo at 1:07 AM on July 13, 2018
Have you tried a Natural History Museum? Twitter has a lot of museums and curators, if you're on there, try tagging a few with the pictures.
There's also many beachcombing and beach finds groups on Facebook, which often have a few experts around who help with IDs.
posted by Helga-woo at 1:07 AM on July 13, 2018
Best answer: Yep, pharyngeal teeth of a grass carp.
"comb-like throat-teeth" in their genus name is pure nightmare fuel.
posted by scruss at 12:05 PM on July 13, 2018 [2 favorites]
"comb-like throat-teeth" in their genus name is pure nightmare fuel.
posted by scruss at 12:05 PM on July 13, 2018 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks for knowing this! She actually asked on r*ddit and got the answer after a few days. I bet her that AskMe could answer faster. 26 minutes FTW!!! ❤️
posted by bendy at 1:01 PM on July 13, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by bendy at 1:01 PM on July 13, 2018 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
So … Grass Carp or similar?
posted by Pinback at 12:33 AM on July 13, 2018 [2 favorites]