# Can anybody identify my beach find?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anybody-identify-my-beach-find/672716
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [October 31, 2013, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anybody-identify-my-beach-find/672716 "2013-10-31T03:23:59Z")
**Posts on this page:** 10
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@TashaKitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TashaKitty)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2013, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anybody-identify-my-beach-find/672716/1 "2013-10-31T03:23:59Z")
[http://i.imgur.com/Dhtuebz.jpg](http://i.imgur.com/Dhtuebz.jpg)
[http://i.imgur.com/xVbLEb3.jpg](http://i.imgur.com/xVbLEb3.jpg)
I found what appears to be either the mandible or maxilla of some sort of creature today at Revere Beach in Revere, Massachusetts. Today was a special day because not only did I find this cool specimen, but within 30 seconds after stepping onto the beach, I found a rare treasure - a beautiful scallop shell, which is almost unheard of in the wasteland of clams, rotting crabs, seagulls, seaweed, and hazardous razor clams. In case you can’t tell, I’m absolutely in love with this beautiful scallop shell, which is probably quite dull-looking to more seasoned shell collectors.
Anyway, I’ll shut up about my scallop.
Can any of you take a guess as to what animal my toothy jawbone might be from?
While you guys do your thing, I’m going to go get an engagement ring for my scallop…
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### Author:  [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2013, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anybody-identify-my-beach-find/672716/2 "2013-10-31T05:25:22Z")
A clearer picture would help…
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### Author:  [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2013, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anybody-identify-my-beach-find/672716/3 "2013-10-31T05:28:37Z")
It looks sort of like the tentacle off a small squid.
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### Author:  [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2013, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anybody-identify-my-beach-find/672716/4 "2013-10-31T05:54:40Z")
It’s the upper dentary bone (premaxillary) of a perch or grouper-like fish. The bone perpendicular to the teeth line is where the front is. That bone gives shape to the front of the fish’s head. I’m sure it’s a round head-type of fish, rather than a pointy-snout kind, like a barracuda.
[http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/science-stories/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/jaws02.jpg](http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/science-stories/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/jaws02.jpg)
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### Author:  [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2013, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anybody-identify-my-beach-find/672716/5 "2013-10-31T06:01:24Z")
Here’s a better drawing (of a perch’s head). Look at the ‘pmx’ part.
[ ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2d/FishKeyDay.jpg/508px-FishKeyDay.jpg)
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### Author:  [@TashaKitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TashaKitty)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2013, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anybody-identify-my-beach-find/672716/6 "2013-11-01T01:02:18Z")
> [@the\_diego](#):
>
> It’s the upper dentary bone (premaxillary) of a perch or grouper-like fish. The bone perpendicular to the teeth line is where the front is. That bone gives shape to the front of the fish’s head. I’m sure it’s a round head-type of fish, rather than a pointy-snout kind, like a barracuda.
>
> [http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/science-stories/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/jaws02.jpg](http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/science-stories/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/jaws02.jpg)
Ooh sweet, thank you so much!
Anybody wanna see my scallop shell?
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### Author:  [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2013, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anybody-identify-my-beach-find/672716/7 "2013-11-01T03:14:17Z")
You were at Revere Beach? Did you go to Kelly’s to eat? If so, I’m jealous. 🙂
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### Author:  [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2013, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anybody-identify-my-beach-find/672716/8 "2013-11-01T05:05:25Z")
Looks like a pink hand, with something unidentified on it.
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### Author:  [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2013, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anybody-identify-my-beach-find/672716/9 "2013-11-01T20:16:34Z")
> [@the\_diego](#):
>
> It’s the upper dentary bone (premaxillary) of a perch or grouper-like fish. The bone perpendicular to the teeth line is where the front is. That bone gives shape to the front of the fish’s head. I’m sure it’s a round head-type of fish, rather than a pointy-snout kind, like a barracuda.
>
> [http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/science-stories/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/jaws02.jpg](http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/science-stories/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/jaws02.jpg)
Huh. Fish lips.
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### Author:  [@gracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracer)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2013, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anybody-identify-my-beach-find/672716/10 "2013-11-01T21:18:49Z")
> [@TashaKitty](#):
>
> Ooh sweet, thank you so much!
>
> Anybody wanna see my scallop shell?
I do! I love beach finds.
And the ring you got it too 😃