Have you considered showing it to the local high school biology teacher? or better yet a college bio professor? Or maybe a veterinarian?

I was thinking of emailing to the Univ. of Wa Biology Dept., I just thought it would be fun to see if anyone here might know also.

Looks like a fish bone. More particularly...from a Halibut steak. Do you live near a restaurant? Have any roaming cats who might have rummaged through someones garbage?

Anne

I have no idea...but isn't it a pretty design...Looks like art work.

How big is it?

patti

dog lumbar spine?? It's so clean and white! How odd to show up on her porch.

I know. I'm going to laugh really hard if it's a halibut bone dragged up by a cat or a racoon, because I swear she thinks someone is doing voodoo or something on her, LOL.

It's a vertebra. How big is it?

I just talked to her and she said it's actually about 4 inches across. She's been researching online all day and said the closest thing she could find was a dolphin vertebrae, which makes me think it probably is a halibut or other large fish. She lives near lots of restaurants and a grocery store, so it could have easily been dragged from a dumpster. I told her to take it to the store and ask someone in the seafood dept.

It looks like it has been bleached clean. If it turns out to be just a fish bone or something, it would be fun to paint and make a chime out of it! Great story to tell the neighbors and grand kids!

Trin

Halibut bones are very white...and almost indestructible. At least...my garbage disposal thinks so! I eat Halibut about once a week and don't like to throw that bone in the rubbish for fear that my very large, nosy, furry roommate will attempt to rescue it for her own use. So...into the disposal it goes and I cross my fingers as it grinds away...sounding like it's eating through the kitchen floor rather than a small fish bone.

By the way...I have posted from time-to-time over the last few years but will offer again that I've been more of a lurker than a poster. However...without knowing it...y'all helped me through the most difficult time of my life in the last year or so...being here so I could read and enjoy so many of your posts and marvelous photography. You took my mind off of my lifes' reality when I needed it the most. I hope you don't mind that I add an opinion or reply once in a while.

Anne

Looks like a possum to me - Marilyn could verify if it is or not.

DH fishes all the time for halibut, unfortunately he's not here, but I will ask. Found this link though..Kathy

Here is a link that might be useful: halibut vertebrae

I'm going to say definitely a fish vertebra, and it's upside down.

The point of the triangle usually points up.

It's not a possum.

and it doesn't look anything like the link to the picture of the halibut vertbrae.

So it is still a mystery...

Anne--your comment got lost in the discussion of the bone, but it's good to know you have found your visits to KT helpful. Your opinions and comments are welcome more than "once in a while"--join in often.

Susan

A friend of mine is a fisheries biologist. I email the photo to him and see if he knows what it is, or can definitely tell if it is or isn't a fish bone.

The response from my fisheries biologist friend:

"I have no idea what it might be from. It looks like a vertebrae but I can't guess from what species. I never ran across one that looked like that."

CSI KT! At work again! LOL!

Thanks for all the input everyone. I'll send your responses to my sis. The mystery continues.....

ps...Anne, please keep posting! Nice to meet you.

boy...it sure is clean....can't wait for you to find out what it is!!

I am thinking that the following may help with what it is not:

Human
http://courses.washington.edu/chordate/453photos/skeleton_photos/human_vert.jpg

Dolphin
http://courses.washington.edu/chordate/453photos/skeleton_photos/dolphin_vertebrae.jpg

Horse
http://courses.washington.edu/chordate/453photos/skeleton_photos/lumbar_vert_anterior.jpg

Here is a link that might be useful: Biology 453 Amniote Skeleton Photos

Below is a link to over 400 animal skeleton photos.

http://courses.washington.edu/chordate/453photos/skeleton_photos/

Here is a link that might be useful: photos of animal skeletons

My son is an archaeologist. I'll send him the photo.

Cameron

My son says it is a thoracic vertabrae, between the neck and the lower chest. He says is looks a lot like a lower chest vert where ribs connect.

You say it is 4" wide and 2-3 inches in diameter? He's asking me all these questions.

He says is probably canid -- either a large dog, wolf or coyote.

My son says if you have a profile photo of it and better measurements, he can probably make a better ID for you.

I'll check back later tonight. We're heading out here.

I think it is a vertebra and possible upside down. The top surface suggests it bore heavy weight. The 3 appnedages has me puzzled. I was going to sugget it was part of a deer carcas, but withdraw that notion.

Try posting on a forum at the "Nature Net".

Sorry, I haven't had internet access all weekend. Wonbyherwits, I'll send my sister a message and see if she can take a better pic. Thanks!!!!

Wonbyherwits- here is the only other pic she has right now. I can see is she can take a profile photo in the next day or two. Thanks for your help and thanks to your son.

I sent him an email. I'll let you know if he can determine anything more about it.

Jenn - I was just wondering - did anyone ever identify this bone for you or your sister?