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What kind of vertebrae might this be

I found this six inch long vertebrae fossil on a slope near Buellton, any idea what it could be from?

Chad, Santa Barbara - January 28, 2020

Curator Response

Hi Chad,

Thanks for sharing this find with us. We don’t see any indications that it is a fossil, however. Based on the photo, it appears to be a rock that has an interesting shape. If it has fossil-like attributes that are not shown in the photo, please send a photo that reveals them.

Stay curious,

Dibblee Curator of Earth Science Jonathan Hoffman, Ph.D., and Nature Education Manager Sabina Thomas, Ph.D.