Other Fossils

The modern commercial fossil industry is huge. While most people still think that a fossil collection is only meant for paleontologists and science geeks, the truth is, it can be enjoyed by anyone.

When you hear the word “dinosaur,” what is the first image that pops into your head? Probably that of a ferocious T-rex or maybe one of those other beasts from the Jurassic Park movies.

Are you intrigued by the entire idea of collecting fossils, but think that these relics of prominent value can only be found in the museum or a paleontologist’s lab, you are terribly mistaken!

For a lot of people, the word “fossil” probably conjures images of bone fragments embedded in rocks. Fossils, however, can take many forms, including leaf and shell imprints, footprints, and so on. For hundreds of years, fossils have provided scientists with a deeper insight into the lives and evolutionary behavior of different organisms, including prehistoric animals like dinosaurs. Unfortunately, the thing about fossils is that they never present themselves intact. Quite often, putting them together is like solving a jigsaw puzzle with obscure, unknown pieces. And that can be quite tough, especially when you don’t have a picture on the box to look at. This is one of the reasons why fossils have also managed to baffle the scientific community, and in some instances, make them look pretty dumb. Here are a few of the biggest paleontology blunders that you don’t know about:

The dinosaur that never was

The Brontosaurus is perhaps one of the most well-known dinosaurs in history and pop culture. And for something that doesn’t exist, earning that title is quite the feat. In 1879, paleontologist Othniel Charles Marsh discovered two almost complete—yet headless—skeletons of the Sauropod dinosaur in Wyoming. In a bid to display them, Marsh fitted one of them with a skull he found nearby and the other with a skull he found in Colorado. And thus, the Brontosaurus was born. The folly was exposed later when it was found that the skeletal remains were adult specimens of the Apatosaurus.

The Presidential sloth

Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. President, was an avid p

Although there are many locations on planet Earth where fish fossils have been discovered, the Green River Formation is the only single location where most fish fossils have been found. This location was first discovered in the 1870s. Since then around 1 million fossilized fish have been found there. Along with a dozen fish species, many other fossils of birds, turtles, insects, salamanders, mammals, etc., have been found in the Green River Formation. Not just these, as many as 325 kinds of plant fossils have also been discovered at this old geologic formation.

A Little Information About Green River Formation

This is a rock formation that comprises of sedimentary rock layers. These layers were developed in a huge system of lakes. As per scientists, it is believed that Green River Formation was formed around 59 to 33 million years ago in the Eocene Epoch. Today, you can find Green River Formation covering parts of Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming.

Most of the fish fossils in Green River Formation are found in the Fossil Lake in south western Wyoming. Paleontologists split this area into two fossil zones. One zone was given the name ‘split fish layer’, which was full of fish and other fossils. The “split fish layer” zone has a depth of around 6 feet and its sediment is quite laminated. Fish fossils are mostly removed nearly whole from this zone. The other zone did not have as many fossils. It measured about 18 inches (called the “18 inch layer”) and by looking at the composition of the limestone, paleontologists believe this zone took shape in deep water further away from the shore. The 18 inch layer contains incredibly detailed fish, plants, and other fossils.

Fish Fossils Found In Green River Formation

Different types of fish have been found in the Gree

The modern commercial fossil industry is huge. Gone are the times when fossils were accessible only to a select few. Now, with hundreds of sellers offering a wide variety of fossils, from dinosaur fossils to trilobites and everything in between, it has become easier than ever to buy them, even online. But this has also led to the emergence of fake and fabricated fossils that are passed off as authentic and sold for thousands of dollars. Although the fake fossil market is rather small, it does exist.

If you are planning to buy a trilobite fossil, it is crucial that you know how to spot fake fossils so that you don’t get swindled out of your money. With that said, you should also keep in mind that the methods used to locate trilobite fossils are quite destructive. They require you to break and split rocks, which often causes the fossils to break. So, some amount of repair and restoration is sometimes unavoidable. But fossils that are completely fake are a whole other story. Here are a few ways in which you can identify them:

Air bubbles in exoskeleton

One of the easiest ways to identify fake trilobites is to look for tiny air bubbles in the exoskeleton or the matrix. Resin is commonly used to cast fake fossils and the holes are formed during the resin’s hardening process. As these holes are normally less than half a millimeter in diameter, they can be slightly hard to spot with the naked eye. Such fossils by made by mounting the cast trilobite onto the matrix, which is then mounted onto a piece of actual rock. 

Differences in matrix color

When examining Devonian trilobites, pay special attention to the color of the matrix. If you find that there are differences in the color of the matrix and the rock, it could mean that the fossil is a fake. For instance, if you see light brown around the trilobite whi

Whales are much more than just gargantuan creatures roaming the waters. For thousands of years, humans and whales have shared a very unique connection, from the earliest stories of unknown sea demons destroying ships to the many methods adopted in the present day to preserve and protect these beloved mammals. Over the course of history, whales have terrified, delighted, fascinated, and inspired humankind. They have also played a significant role in many cultures, tribes, and communities. This has earned them a place in countless legends, myths, and folklore tales that are rife with stories of all kinds. In some, you will find narratives of whales swallowing humans, and in others, they are often painted as gods, deities, and divine spirits. Here are some of these stories that you should know about:

In Maori tradition

Many Māori tribes have a powerful cultural association with whales. Most of them believe that whales are descendants of Tangaroa, who is the god of the oceans. They were revered as supernatural beings and considered sacred. Whales also appear in migration legends. Some tribes look at whales as a sign indicating that they should settle in a particular place. Māori ancestors often looked to them for guidance during their canoe journeys to Aotearoa. There are tribal stories, carvings, and some specialized language names that are testament to the interaction with the Māori and whales.

In Hawaiian culture

Native Hawaiian families have deified ancestors, aumakua, who could take the form of any animal, including shark, owl, and whale, among others. The whale, or kohola, appears in dreams and visions and serves as a connection between the physical and spiritual worlds. They also provide spiritual guidance. Whales also appear in numerous Hawaiian legends, including stories of creation, such as "Hanau Ka Palaoa Noho I Kai (The Palaoa Was Born and Lived in the Sea)." Palaoa re

Out of all the bizarre things making the internet, including the gold chain hair by the 23-year old Mexican rap artist Dan Sur or the absurd all-black ensemble flaunted by Kim Kardashian in 2021 Met Gala, the internet is overwhelmed with the bizarre limits being pushed.

However, this blog is not going to give you updates about the Met gala. When it comes to fashion jewelry, the goal of every wearer is to look edgy, bold, cut-throat while at the same time being sophisticated, graceful, and chic. This is all the more reason why shark tooth necklaces have been garnering so much attention.

With over 400M years of survival instinct to become the ultimate sea predator, sharks are a subject of both fear and fascination. They symbolize strength, power, grace while being mystical. It’s only natural why more and more people are drawn to these amazing jewelry pieces time and again. With that being said, here are five shark teeth necklaces and ornamental pieces that should be a part of your jewelry:

PERU NECKLACE

With minimalistic efforts, the golden-polish wire-wrapped great white and mako shark teeth with a leatherette necklace cord and a simple clasp packs style. Coming in nine different colors, the authentic Miocene or Pliocene fossil shark teeth carries a tasteful rustic elegance with a versatile summery essence. Whether you are looking for something to complete your beach ensemble or simply hanging out with your friends, this accessory adds a Peruvian v

It was during the Miocene and Pliocene eras that the renowned shark, Megalodon, inhabited the marine environment and preyed upon baleen whales, toothed whales, sirenians, fish, seals, and many other marine animals. These sharks were the largest fish to ever inhabit the oceans; some Megalodon sharks grew to 59 feet (18 meters) or more in length.. Paleontologists believe these sharks dominated the oceans because their teeth have been found on every continent of the plant Earth except Antarctica. However, apart from their big teeth, fierce predatory nature, and enormous sizes, there are some other surprising facts that many people do not know about these gargantuan sharks. Let’s see what those facts are!

A Single Megalodon Weighed As Much As Eight Elephants

Scientists believe that Megalodons weighted up to 143,000 pounds, which converts into 65,000 in kilograms. And what’s even more surprising, female Megalodons are believed to have been twice the size of male Megalodons. Scientists have come to these conclusions purely on the basis of Megalodon’s fossil remains, which are mainly teeth. They looked at Great White sharks’ teeth size and compared it with their other dimensions. Using these correlations, they calculated the weight and size of Megalodons.

Megalodon’s Babies Were Cannibal

We all know that Megalodons were a ferocious, apex predator of their time. However, it is believed that they had begun showing their rapacious behavior even before reaching the ocean in the wombs of their mother. Baby Megalodons, increased their chances of survival, by eating their own siblings in the womb. Scientists believe that baby Megalodons exhibited this behavior to stop other embryo from taking significant space in the womb. Doing this allowed the surviving shark to grow and reach lengths of 6.6 feet at birth without any trouble.

Megalodons May Have Met Their Demise Through Cold Water

The distinction between mastodons and mammoths has been a matter of discussion for a long time. Mastodons are often confused with being directly related to mammoths. However, they are quite different from the latter species.