Need help from fossil expert...what is it?

[calgal19572014]

This item was from my in-law's estate...I searched ebay and the internet and found similar fossils but don't want to list until I know for sure what they are. They appear to be part of a Siliquaria Gastropod?  Any help would be appreciated!

[*smedley*]

my first thought was a walrus "manhood" bone...

yes, that's literally a thing... and people do collect them...

[keziak]

It's hard to gauge the size from the photo, do you have a ruler or something? 

I am not a fossil expert but makes me think of a tube created by a worm or worm-like animal. The animal might not have fossilized but the tube might. 

I Googled it though and looks like most tubeworm fossils are found accreted to rocks.

[calgal19572014]

This one measures 10" and 1  1/4" at the thick end...I also have a very large one that is 27" long!  I attached another photo of the narrower end.  

[keziak]

I wonder if there are any FB groups devoted to fossils - surely - where you could post the photo with your question.

[valuestore]

Just a guess but exo skeleton so it's probably something like coral , barnacle, even crab or or similar type sea creature.. looks like coral, pretty cool

[thevintagesilvershop]

My guess is tube coral. 

[lovefindingtreasures2]

It looks like a fossilized gastropod of some sort, snail perhaps. The chambers inside suggest shell, more likely an invertebrate of some type.

[calgal19572014]

That is what I was leaning towards based on my internet research, it looked like the snail portion was broken off.  I appreciate your help, thank you!

[helloandgoodmorning]

Take it to the nearest natural history museum and ask an expert.

[ifyouloveit]

Most welcome 🙂 The chambering is gastropod and certainly suggest some sort of snail or similar. To my knowledge, corals do not have chambering, neither do tube worm species. It's been a long time since I studied this 🙂

What type of invertebrate left that shell or casing I don't know. It could be a 'branch' (AKA arm) of a larger organism too. It is a segment, no labeling or other shells or specimens with it that may give more clues?

(Was it with certain other similar types of specimens, or all mixed together, no labels).

Sometimes the other pieces in the collection will help you identify the mystery ones, keep us posted!

[calgal19572014]

It was with a larger piece but most of the shells and coral were mixed together, only a few were labeled.  Maybe I should take it to Natural History museum, or a store that specializes in shells and sea fossils.  Thanks again. 🙂

[7606dennis]

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@helloandgoodmorning wrote:

Take it to the nearest natural history museum and ask an expert.

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That would be my suggestion as well.

[ifyouloveit]

Most welcome 🙂 If you have a natural history museum nearby, that is perfect. They have drawers and drawers full of fossils and shells.

Another place would be a college that has a good science/biology department.

Many towns have clubs and societies that specialize in various hobbies and interests, rock collecting, fossils, geology, you name it, there may be a group for it. Excellent places to find experts more than delighted to share their knowledge. They are free to visit and mingle.

Large public aquariums have marine biologists available too. Many are into fossils.

Let us know if you nail it down 🙂

[sweetpieces4you]

Take the PIECE to your nearest UNIVERSITY !! Or possibly call a college near you to see if they might have a department that deals in this type of CRITTER !! UNIVERSITIES have departments for just about everything !!