Peace River Fossils

Reptile and Amphibian

Reptile fossils are much more common than amphibian fossils in the Peace River with common fossils from turtles, tortoises, snakes, and alligators. Like any animal they leave remains including bones, teeth and claws. Turtle shell in particular is incredibly common. Amphibian fossils are more rare but still present with jaws and vertebrae from salamanders and frogs.

Reptiles

Alligators

Alligators are very present in the Peace River now as they were in Florida’s long and diverse fossil history. There are probably multiple species of alligator in the fossil record of the Peace but the extant species Alligator mississippiensis is one of them and likely the most prevalent. As with other animals all of the animal can be found, notably scutes, teeth, jaws, claws, vertebrae and other skull fragments. Their fossils can be easily confused with crocodile fossils but their teeth are stumpier and non-striated.

2 examples of alligator osteoderms, they have the raised ridge in the center as compared to crocodile which are flattened. Scale bar is 1cm

Alligator claw core, a rare find in the river despite the high prevalence of alligator teeth. Note the groove with holes going along the midline of the claw. Typically this is covered with a nail like claw on living alligators. Scale bar is 1cm.

Tortoises

Turtles

Snakes

Amphibians

Jaws

Salamander jaw, species unknown. Note the ridges where teeth would be, the small size and the ridged external surface. Scale bar is 0.5cm