Sometimes while exploring we find skulls and bones. Here are two found on Friday’s outing.
It was a rather smallish one.
Oh yeah even though it was in a little bit in rough shape I was able to ID it.
The ventral side. It was a Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis)! A good way to get up close when it was stripped clean. LOL.
Just as we were finishing up for the day, this one was discovered. It was in better shape. Additionally the skull still had meat left on it.
Measuring is important.
A side view. It looked happy.
Rear view.
Head on!
Finally a count of the teeth! When you find a skull it is a good idea to get as many angles of the specimen as you can. One small bump here or there, the number and placement of the teeth, or even perhaps the sutures will give you a clue to identity. This is a Raccoon (Procyon lotor).
My go-to book for skulls is the “Animal Skulls: A Guide to North American Species” (November 21, 2006) by Mark Elbroch.
Great views of skunks up close!
Certainly less chance of getting sprayed. 🤣
Trump just makes me sad and sick. I love to find skulls. Good finds and identification
Would never have considered that it was a skunk – good sleuthing! And the second skull is???????
oops I forgot to say… raccoon. Fixed the omission now. Thanks!