Can anyone identify this fossilized creature?

Question

http://home.comcast.net/~josephyne/unknown.jpg%20023.jpg

Please click on the link above to view a picture of this unknown creature.

I came accross it on a hike (central california).

It almost looks like a giant crocadile. I can clearly see vertebrae and ribs.

It is about 10 feet long and has a curved (scorpian-like) tail (not visible in photo). Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

Although vertebrate fossils are known from the Central Valley -- including crocodilians, if I'm not mistaken -- what you've found appears more likely to be not a fossil, but rather a remarkable natural conformation of rocks.  Sometimes these are called "pseudofossils" because they are so convincing to the untrained eye.  

If it is actual fossil bone, it will have the internal spongy texture of bone (although now permineralized), such as http://www.oceansofkansas.com/Elasmosaur...

Where are you in central CA, exactly?  Maybe I can point you to a nearby spot where you have a better chance of coming across authentic vertebrate fossils :)