Mammal Who left their skull behind?

[Lepmeister]

Hey all,

Got out for a wonder today and found my first bones..

I have no knowledge in this sort of stuff, so thought you may be able to let me know what it is?

Found in suburban bush, near creek. No other bones could be found in the immediate area. Lenght of the skull was about 40mm.

Possum was my first guess?

 

[Mozzie]

I'd say ring tail possum Lep

here is a great mammal skull ID helper ...... http://museumvictoria.com.au/bioinformatics/mammals/images/thumbmar.htm

 

[birder]

Looks a lot like a ringtail possum, and the size is right too.
Check it against the skulls on this page: http://museumvictoria.com.au/bioinformatics/mammals/images/thumbmar.htm

 

[birder]

beaten by.... this much!

 

[koalaboi]

Great thread,

Thanks.

I would disagree with the skull as ringtail skull for 2 reasons;

1. the prominent sharp ridgeline above the eyes and
2. the length of the snout in front of the eyes

Both the above characteristics are more apparent on the brushtail possum skull.

KB

 

[birder]

I called it as a likely ringtail, due to the shape of the molars, the more crowded dentition (the premolar and canine are more spaced out in a brushtail), and it is lacking the enlarged 2nd premolar that brushtails seem to have.

on closer inspection and googling, I'm pretty sure it's a ringtail: This skull's dental formula is I3:C13:M4, which is the same as a ringtail. A brushtail's dental formula is I3:C12:M4.

Cheers, Mike

 

[Mozzie]

well Lep at least we can see your guess was good..its a "possum"

"hello possums" said in my best dame edna voice :non sono stato io:

 

[koalaboi]

I called it as a likely ringtail, due to the shape of the molars, the more crowded dentition (the premolar and canine are more spaced out in a brushtail), and it is lacking the enlarged 2nd premolar that brushtails seem to have.

on closer inspection and googling, I'm pretty sure it's a ringtail: This skull's dental formula is I3:C13:M4, which is the same as a ringtail. A brushtail's dental formula is I3:C12:M4.

Cheers, Mike

I only had a quick count of the teeth as that's the limit of my dental knowledge. Sounds like a pretty definitive call.

KB