Skull Identification

JMDavies

WKR
Joined
Mar 23, 2020
Messages
359
I live in south central Minnesota. I'm having a heck of a time trying to figure out what this skull belongs to. The darker areas are flesh that hasn't decayed off yet. (smells awful) I've got a number of skulls from different animals that I can compare this to, but none of them are close. The canine teeth are far to big to be the standard coon or fox, but the skull is about that size. Any ideas?20200326_145225.jpg 20200326_145243.jpg20200326_145321.jpg20200326_145342.jpg
 

dieNqvrs

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Sep 17, 2014
Messages
165
I agree most likely opossum. Size, Tall robust Sagital crest, thick zygomatic arch and good sized canines.

Not fisher because zygomatic arch is too thick on specimen pictures/ Fisher is very thin. Not a canid- fox not long enough snout, not a feline- cats have short noses/ nose bones.

Pics of teeth- specificities molars will surely identify. Dental formula and shape will 100% percent confirm.
 

damxam

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Feb 10, 2016
Messages
273
Location
MT
Ah yes I missed that rib(sagittal crest, thanks dieNqvrs) on the back of the skull, looking more like opossum
 

lyingflatlander

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Sep 25, 2017
Messages
251
Location
Wisconsin
I don’t have a biology degree, but is badger a possibility? The crest is there, and the incisors on your specimen are missing.
 

zbb

FNG
Joined
Feb 7, 2019
Messages
25
I don’t have a biology degree, but is badger a possibility? The crest is there, and the incisors on your specimen are missing.
Think you might be on to something. Here’s a badger skull I have. Was what I would call a large male. From western SD.30000C47-43DC-4724-A8C4-31F35B4EDECE.jpeg9770B8DB-3712-4226-8AC8-C57AEAB93F49.jpeg6D6CEFC3-6F8F-4041-832B-47C16EE893DB.jpegDF5F52B2-8756-438E-A29F-2178C44D3D4F.jpeg
 
Joined
Feb 24, 2016
Messages
2,191
Fore sure it is not and otter, fisher, or bobcat.

I would say it is an opossum skull if I was putting money on it...
 
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