Coiled and Furrowed Coprolite with Fish Inclusions

This coprolite coil was most likely created by a fish like a shark, ray or lungfish.  Some of these an a few other species of fish have spiral valves as part of their digestive systems.  This particular coprolite has numerous undigested fish vertebrae and bone inclusions.  Even though it has an extremely soft, chalky texture, intestinal marks are still visible.  This coprolite is one of the numerous specimens collected in 1999 by Ron Ritchie while surveying an area cleared to build an elementary school.