Skull Identification

[JMDavies]

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?

 

[lif]

Saber tooth tiger

 

[jolemons]

Looks like a bobcat to me

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[HiRidge]

Opossum

 

[JMDavies]

Looks like a bobcat to me

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That's one of the options I was thinking. Bobcats are very rare around here but definitely possible. Thank for the help!

 

[Jellymon]

Bobcat skulls are much shorter with smaller teeth, like a house cat.

 

[JMDavies]

Bobcat skulls are much shorter with smallerView attachment 166084 teeth, like a house cat.

You're definitely right. It's not that round. Maybe otter?

 

[mcr-85]

Id guess grey fox....but it does have long canines.

 

[camping1601]

Fischer?

 

[davescarp]

Opossum

think that's it...

 

[damxam]

Sure looks like a fox to me, could be a coyote pup though

 

[stonewall]

I vote opossum

 

[Marble]

Looks like some sort of weasel.

 

[dieNqvrs]

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.

 

[Voyageur]

Curious what type of habitat you found the skull in?

 

[damxam]

Ah yes I missed that rib(sagittal crest, thanks dieNqvrs) on the back of the skull, looking more like opossum

 

[lyingflatlander]

I don’t have a biology degree, but is badger a possibility? The crest is there, and the incisors on your specimen are missing.

 

[Wapiti1]

Another vote for it being a grinner (opossum).

Jeremy

 

[zbb]

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.

 

[MallardSX2]

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...