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Can I Lick It? Yes You Can!

April 23, 2025

Above: An eager fossil collector licking a new find to test its authenticity

Post Author- Erik Wells

Have you ever been unable to tell if a fossil was really a fossil, but you were too embarrassed to admit it? Have you ever wanted to lick a fossil just because, but you didn’t want to risk judgment from your peers? Well, good news! You can kill two birds with one stone! (Or maybe it’s not a stone...) Licking a fossil can actually help you determine if it’s the real deal or just another rock. It might sound gross, but don’t worry, it’ll take you way fewer licks than getting to the center of a Tootsie Pop. All you have to do is give the specimen a quick little tongue tap. If it sticks, it’s likely a fossil! If not, sorry, you may have just licked a random piece of gravel.

Over time, a dinosaur’s organic pieces- blood cells, muscles, fat- break down, while the inorganic components made from minerals like calcium stick around, eventually creating a fragile, porous mineral that mimics the internal structure of the original bone. Water carries other minerals like iron to the bone, and they seep in through its microscopic pores, making it sturdier and more rocklike. This process is what separates a fossil from just any old buried bone. When you try to lick a fossil, those tiny pores can suck up the moisture in your tongue, causing it to stick! The quick lick isn’t a perfect test since not all fossils are porous enough, but you can still learn a lot from the taste of a specimen even if it doesn’t stick. If you’re left with a pungent, salty aftertaste, that could point towards the presence of minerals often found in fossils. Still don’t believe me? Try it yourself! But first, you’ll have to find a fossil. Luckily, you don't have to look to far to get started. You can browse a wide variety of fossil specimens at minimuseum.com and get licking!

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