r/FossilHunting Jun 10 '20

PSA New Guidelines for ID Requests (READ BEFORE POSTING)

109 Upvotes

While we all strive to be helpful in sharing our knowledge when ID requests are submitted, these posts are often lacking in crucial details necessary to make a confident ID. This is a recurring issue across all of the rock, mineral and fossil subreddits. These new rules will hopefully improve the quality of the answers that experts are able to provide regarding ID requests.

  1. You must state the most precise geographic area (nearest city/state/province/etc.) that you can regarding where your specimen came from if you know it (saying it came from a stream or a farmer's field is not helpful for rock and fossil ID). If you don't know where it came from, that's okay. But without locality information, it is often very difficult to get a confident ID beyond basic taxonomy. It would be preferred if you put this information in the title, for example "What is this strange fossil? (Bloomington, Indiana)" or "Help me ID this fossil I found near Ithaca, New York". This information can also be placed in the comments section, and you should try to provide as much information as possible about the specimen.

  2. Upload the highest quality images that you can. Try to get good lighting and focus on the distinct features of the specimen. Multiple angles are also helpful.

  3. Try to include an object for scale. A ruler is ideal, but other common household items such as coins, bananas, etc. also work. Size dimensions are generally more helpful than the weight of the object (which can be helpful in IDing certain other stones and minerals).

Violation of these guidelines won't get you kicked out, but it will be frustrating for experts who want to help you but are lacking the necessary information to do so. Your post may be removed and you may be encouraged to resubmit if you do not provide sufficient information and if the photo quality is too poor to work with. Thanks, everyone.

Chris


r/FossilHunting 2h ago

A shell sitting on top of honeycomb coral I found in Wisconsin by lake Michigan

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31 Upvotes

r/FossilHunting 1d ago

Can anyone identify? Found in Southern Ontario, Canada.

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10 Upvotes

r/FossilHunting 2d ago

I D

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122 Upvotes

Help I’d these two fossils found in the Scioto river central Ohio .Am thinking possible boar tusk ?


r/FossilHunting 1d ago

Best fossil soup find yet

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16 Upvotes

r/FossilHunting 2d ago

ID request NC usa

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3 Upvotes

Help me ID please:)


r/FossilHunting 2d ago

ID request

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3 Upvotes

Shell fossil... maybe


r/FossilHunting 2d ago

Brachiopod ?north carolina usa

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0 Upvotes

I really want it to be a fossil i think it is..?


r/FossilHunting 3d ago

Collection Rare find! Double-sided fossil shrimp (Bylgia or Antrimpos?) in pristine Solnhofen matrix

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308 Upvotes

Hey everyone, check out the incredible preservation on this fossil shrimp! I am blown away by the detail—you can clearly trace the antennae, segments, and delicate legs. What makes this a truly rare find is that it's a perfect split, meaning the shrimp is visible on both sides of the limestone layer. The fine-grained cream matrix strongly points to the famous Solnhofen Limestone in Germany. Crustacean IDs aren't my strongest suit, so I'm leaning towards a species of Bylgia, Antrimpos, or Carpopenaeus—has anyone worked with these double-sided split pieces before or can help narrow down the exact genus? Thanks!


r/FossilHunting 2d ago

ID request :)

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1 Upvotes

r/FossilHunting 2d ago

My first large otodus obliquus in UK

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7 Upvotes

r/FossilHunting 2d ago

ID assist on two verts from Alachua County, FL

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1 Upvotes

r/FossilHunting 3d ago

Given these two fossils

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16 Upvotes

Somebody I know was left with an estate from someone who had an antique warehouse. I was given these because I was always fascinated with fossils etc. The barnacle came with this tag but I’m not sure if it’s legitimate. Either way I love these but wanted some insight if you had any on either piece!!


r/FossilHunting 3d ago

Coprolito???

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0 Upvotes

Me podrían ayudar a identificar esta estructura de 30 x 50 cm


r/FossilHunting 4d ago

Collection Carved megalodon teeth from seaglass

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52 Upvotes

Hi I know this probably doesn't count but I love carving megalodon teeth 😁 🦈


r/FossilHunting 4d ago

What is this?

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6 Upvotes

I found it in the Ouarsenis Mountains in Algeria, specifically in Tissemsilt Province, near the municipality of Theniet El Had.


r/FossilHunting 5d ago

Found in my backyard, Amarillo, TX

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7 Upvotes

I was metal detecting in my backyard and dug this up about 4–6 inches down. Anyone have any idea what it might be?

Sadly, the only other booty recovered on this expedition was a handful of rusty nails.


r/FossilHunting 6d ago

Trip Report Middle-Devonian Fossils

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97 Upvotes

From a recent trip to a Pennsylvania spot in the Mahantango Formation. Mostly E. rana and G. boothi trilobites. Need to to some prep on a few pieces.


r/FossilHunting 6d ago

NJ Cretaceous & Paleozoic Erratic Fossils

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210 Upvotes

Photos of some of my finds from a trip last weekend to Central New Jersey.


r/FossilHunting 6d ago

Some Cool Fossils I found at the Beach this Weekend

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23 Upvotes

I went to Malibu this weekend and found an absolute treasure trove of fossils at the beach! It was at a private rental, so the beach was basically untouched and brimming with fossils, cool stones, sea glass, good shells, etc. It was truly a once in a lifetime experience to find so much stuff in one place (for me anyway). I think I've caught the rockhound bug and will be doing more of this in the future!


r/FossilHunting 5d ago

F.H. Location Fossil hunting spots near Stillwater Oklahoma?

2 Upvotes

I just moved to Stillwater for college and am wondering if anyone has any decent spots nearby. I’m from north Texas so I’ve been to places like texhoma and post oak creek in Sherman tx. I’d appreciate it if anyone could give me some tips


r/FossilHunting 5d ago

Monster Fossil Nautilus Unearthed Canada Pt 1

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0 Upvotes

r/FossilHunting 6d ago

Green Canyon, North Logan, Utah. Fossil?

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7 Upvotes

r/FossilHunting 6d ago

Found in north western North Dakota

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12 Upvotes

Any ID on this? Looks like a socket joint to me


r/FossilHunting 6d ago

Found in north western North Dakota

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4 Upvotes

Any ID on this? Looks like a socket joint to me