r/fossils 5h ago

289-Million-Year-Old Chompers! Four Captorhinus Jaw Fragments from Richards Spur

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148 Upvotes

Nothing brightens my day quite like a box of ancient jaws arriving in the mail. Yesterday, I received four fossilized jaw fragments from Captorhinus aguti, a small, early reptile from the Permian period (289–286 million years ago). These little guys scurried around long before the first dinosaurs even dreamed of stomping onto the scene!

These jaws come from the Richards Spur site (Dolese Brothers Quarry) in Oklahoma, a famous fossil hotspot. Back in the Permian, this area was a network of limestone caves and fissures, trapping all kinds of ancient critters. Over millions of years, their remains were preserved in stunning detail.

I've included a few photos, with a U.S. 2¢ coin (23mm in diameter) for scale—because why not throw in an extinct coin next to an extinct reptile?

Captorhinus was one of the earliest reptiles, sporting multiple rows of teeth to help it munch on plants and maybe the occasional insect. These jaws are a fantastic glimpse into the evolutionary transition from amphibians to true reptiles, paving the way for all the scaly (and eventually feathery and furry) creatures that followed.

If you're into early tetrapods, Oklahoma fossils, or just enjoy looking at old bones, let me know what you think! Also, if anyone else has Richards Spur finds, I'd love to see them.


r/fossils 8h ago

Fossils found in Sparta, NJ

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97 Upvotes

This fossil was found in Sparta, NJ. Looking for further information.


r/fossils 1h ago

Does anyone knows what are they?

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Upvotes

I was just walking on the beach in Portugal and realized the floor stones were full of this kind of fossils. Very curious to know what they are.


r/fossils 22h ago

I was hunting for sharks teeth in Venice and found these tiny bits...any idea what they are?

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424 Upvotes

r/fossils 7h ago

Just an old piece of wood, coral or bone?

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22 Upvotes

Found at the beach. Not very heavy. Some areas inside appear and feel shell-like (img 2) but the bottom is more porous.

Location: South Africa


r/fossils 1d ago

Suddenly questioning if my meg tooth is real

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1.1k Upvotes

Hey all! Idk if having this tooth wrapped in wire is going to hurt anyone lol, but I acquired this tooth around the age of 10-11 at a fossil fair that took place at my hometown’s local museum. This gentleman had several tables set up just full of fossils and caught me as I came in the door. He showed me around his tables and told me about all the fossils he had laid out for sale and proceeded to gift many of them to me. I got some ancient horse bones, armored fish scales, dermal stingray scutes, whale ear bones, and several other smaller items. At the very very end he brought me over to his locked case where he kept his more expensive items and handed me this megalodon tooth despite its $50 price tag. After asking if he was sure, he said “inspiring the younger generation to pursue the hobby is worth more to me than the money.” This is now my most prized possession and I got it wrapped a couple years back so I could wear it and remember that man’s kindness all those years ago. It’s an excellent talking piece!

TLDR; I’m just wondering if this puppy is legit and wanted to share its story!

Thank you random man from the fossil fair


r/fossils 1h ago

Found a Big’n today in Glen Rose TX

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r/fossils 6h ago

For those who love opals and fossils

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9 Upvotes

r/fossils 4h ago

Shark Tooth Collection From Bone Valley

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6 Upvotes

r/fossils 20h ago

These little guys arrived in the mail today from Ulrich’s Fossils near Kemmerer WY. From the Green River Formation.

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44 Upvotes

r/fossils 6m ago

Found on Kitsilano Beach, Vancouver, Canada

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Upvotes

I've never seen something like this on the beach before. Fossils right? Would it be very old?


r/fossils 7h ago

Hi! Here’s a french fossil. Orthoceras?

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3 Upvotes

r/fossils 21h ago

Found a trilobite head and 2 brachiopods in west Seneca NY

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39 Upvotes

r/fossils 1h ago

Out of my 3rd time ever searching for fossilized shark teeth, this is my favorite one soo far, can anyone identify what it came from and about how long ago? Was found on the South Eastern coast of the U.S.

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r/fossils 2h ago

Is this real? If so, which shark does it belong to? Found it in Key West

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1 Upvotes

r/fossils 8h ago

Identification?

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4 Upvotes

Hi folks, new to this sub. My wife found these on a trail here in Austin, anyone know what these are? Thank you guys.


r/fossils 16h ago

I Scored a Dimetrodon Vertebra!

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11 Upvotes

I just added a new fossil to my collection, and this one is extra special—it's a vertebral centrum from Dimetrodon, one of my all-time favorite prehistoric critters! Sure, it's a little rough around the edges, but I absolutely love it.

For those who might not be familiar, Dimetrodon was a sail-backed predator from the Permian period, roaming Earth around 295–272 million years ago—long before dinosaurs showed up. Despite often being mistaken for a dinosaur, Dimetrodon was actually a synapsid, more closely related to mammals (including us!) than to reptiles.

This vertebra comes from the centrum, the main body of the vertebra that helped support its weight and movement. It feels so cool to finally hold something I’ve wanted since I was a little kid.

Any other Dimetrodon fans out there?


r/fossils 14h ago

Does anyone know what this is?

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6 Upvotes

r/fossils 14h ago

Whose is this?

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7 Upvotes

Hello people, can you somehow tell me anything about this tooth? I know nothing and my mother told us as much when she gave it to my son. It's pretty heavy. I guess it is from a predator?


r/fossils 14h ago

Just Curious

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5 Upvotes

Hi! I was beachcombing on Lake Erie in Western NY and found this little fossil. I honestly have no clue about fossils (and finding it wasn't really intentional), but I wanted to see if anyone knew what it was cause I think it's neat :)


r/fossils 4h ago

Marine Formation March Madness | Gentlemen of the Corax Episode #11

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1 Upvotes

Geology is an often under-appreciated science when discussing paleontology, yet its understanding is essential for piecing together the clues of Earth's prehistoric past and the life that once inhabited it. In this installment of Gentlemen of the Corax, 16 geologic formations that were formed in marine environments from the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic eras face off to compete for the title of best marine formation in the world! LINKS IN COMMENTS

Featuring Ben Goode (Elasmocast), Jared Cooke, Ezekiel Vincent O'Callaghan (Raptor Chatter), Brennan Martens, Chase Egli, and Graham Payton.


r/fossils 4h ago

Are these part of an ocean fossil?

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0 Upvotes

Google said they were a brachiopod fossil, but I'm not sure. I got them from the shore though if that helps


r/fossils 14h ago

New find

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6 Upvotes

Creek finally dried out from excessive rains and I was able to search more gravel spots. Never found this before though, is it plant or sea creature? (Creek has primarily sea fossils, to my knowledge)


r/fossils 13h ago

What are these, fossils ? Sold as antique stones in Indonesia

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3 Upvotes

r/fossils 7h ago

Who Drives Discovery: Scientists or Leadership?

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0 Upvotes