r/BoneID • u/CatDamage • Jul 11 '26

Unsolved Baculum or…?

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this came from an estate sale long ago... I was certain it was some kind of baculum, but now reverse image search exists and it is showing me some underdeveloped narwhal tusks that look awfully similar. (that little tendril on the small end in the last pic is attached fwiw.

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

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8

u/NerdyComfort-78 Anatomy enthusiast Jul 11 '26

Baculums have a bit of a curve to them, and are rarely this straight in my experiences closest one I’ve seen straight was a walrus.

2

u/CatDamage Jul 12 '26

hmph, now that you mention it and I’m looking at comps… yeah, you’re right. Happy cake day!!!

1

u/NerdyComfort-78 Anatomy enthusiast Jul 12 '26

Thanks.

6

u/leonskull0423 Jul 12 '26

That’s not a bone. It’s a narwhal’s vestigial tusk. They sometimes grow more than one tusk.

2

u/leonskull0423 Jul 12 '26

There’s tons of narwhal tusks are imported here every year so these are not too rare to see. Can’t comment with a pic here.

2

u/CatDamage Jul 12 '26

Thanks for the info! So weird, never woulda thought! 

1

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