Name that skull!

[jamesw]

Went fishing and my dog started rolling in this dead animal.

It was pretty much cleaned to the bone, so i took the skull, it looked cool.

I soaked it in peroxide for a day, (saw it on dirty jobs) It didnt really do anything, so i soaked it in bleach for a day, it rotted all the skin off and caused some bones to crack.

Anyways, its pretty easy.










rawr

[Rakshasi]

Raccoon...? Nice find!

I don't know how many will agree with me, but I find the hobby of scavenging to be quite rewarding. I've been doing this actively for 5 years, and have had dead things around my whole life (grew up with hunters). I know quite a few tricks to get things looking rather nice.

First and foremost, as you've already discovered, bleach is BAD for bones. Peroxide/water is the best way to go, but you cannot expect a miracle overnight. I'm currently soaking some dried up meat off of some bones I got awhile ago with a simple dish soap/water solution. Every few days I change out the water, give the bones a good scrub (using those stiff-bristled tooth brushes + wire brushes for anything really stuck on there) and let them be again.

I have a great cleaning solution, but it's rather long, so you (or anyone else interested for that matter) may private message me if you'd like it.

If you ever have any extra bones you'd like to get rid of, I'm always open to give 'em a new home. *LOL!*

[Ginevive]

It looks very canine; too long and not round enough to be feline.
I have a few skulls of my own; I will post pics sometime; I collect them too

[slartibartfast]

Definitely a raccoon, and a nice specimen - looks like you've got complete dentition.

Kerosene soaks will also remove greasy tissue; just let it dry -really- well before you handle it again.

[wildlifewarrior]

My guess is prob a raccoon or stray dog/odd fox.


~mike

[Laooda]

I vote Coon too.... that last pix is wicked cool!!!

[jamesw]

Yep, its a raccoon.

The whole body is still there, but i just wanted the skull.

When we first moved here i found what i think was a goat skull, i should have saved it.

Oh well.

[jamesw]

It dried out and turned completely white!

Is there anything i should do to preserve it?

[wildlifewarrior]

with the skeletons i prepare at work, after we feed them to the beetles we soak them in ethanol (alcohol) and let it dry out. what it does is kill any remaining bacteria on the skull. If it looks clean and doesn't smell you should be alright, you might want to do a quick soak in alcohol or peroxide but not too long if yo udo peroxide, it could eventually damage the bone if left too long. looks good!

~mike

[recycling goddess]

niiiice i have quite a few skulls myself.

my mom is currently selling some... i'll post a pic here... hold on...

okay i'm back LOL



wild russian boar, bear, coyote, river otter, horse