Skull ID (Gruesome pics!)

Half-cocked

Any ideas what this was? I'm thinking a dog but not sure. Skull about 4 inches long. Whatever it was had a long tail too.

Capercaille

looks like a cat

Half-cocked

Capercaille wrote: »

looks like a cat

It was big one if it was! But I think you are right. Thanks.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Canines are right for a cat

OpenYourEyes

On that topic.....Fox?

Half-cocked

Fox skulls I've seen have more needle-like canines, those look very thick. But I stand to be corrected.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Agreed. The teeth seem more blunt than a Fox. Dog v Fox can be difficult because of the wide variety in head shapes among the many dog breeds but I'd go for Dog here. Tehe sinus opening is much larger in a dog, if you have a front on view.

Half-cocked

Right, here's one for you all to guess, about 10 inches long, an Irish species:

dodderangler

Badger skull

OpenYourEyes

Thanks guys.

Just took an opportunistic snap with my phone when I found it - if I pass that place in the next few days I might see if it's still there and examine it a bit more closely.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Half-cocked wrote: »

Right, here's one for you all to guess, about 10 inches long, an Irish species:

Unmistakably Badger with that tough robust skull. A real giveaway is that the seams (or sutures) are all sealed. But I suspect you knew what it was already.

Ichabod Crane

Half-cocked wrote: »

Right, here's one for you all to guess, about 10 inches long, an Irish species:

Is it an Otter skull?

Sorry,didn't see the above replies!

Ziphius

Half-cocked wrote: »

Right, here's one for you all to guess, about 10 inches long, an Irish species:

Harbour seal.

Ichabod Crane

Ziphius wrote: »

Harbour seal.

Ziphius might be on the money there alright!:)I don't think a badger's skull would be 10 inches long?Neither would an Otter's for that matter!

Half-cocked

It's Grey Seal, a big old bull washed up dead on Great Saltee a few years back.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Harbour seal is more elongated but maybe the angle of the photo is misleading.

Ziphius

Half-cocked wrote: »

It's Grey Seal, a big old bull washed up dead on Great Saltee a few years back.

Allow me to edit my original post

Nice photo.

Ziphius

Ichabod Crane wrote: »

Ziphius might be on the money there alright!:)I don't think a badger's skull would be 10 inches long?Neither would an Otter's for that matter!

A bit big alright.

Had the look of a seal to me. But I guessed wrong in the end.

Ichabod Crane

Ziphius wrote: »

A bit big alright.

Had the look of a seal to me. But I guessed wrong in the end.

You were closer than anyone else!:)

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Very interesting! I have never seen a Grey Seal skull before. Where did it originate from?

Half-cocked

Terrence Tasteless Tableware wrote: »

Very interesting! I have never seen a Grey Seal skull before. Where did it originate from?

I found 2 dead bulls washed up on Great Saltee a few years back in early Spring, probably casualties from Winter storms, they were dead a long time and I was able to remove the head from one carcass. I've found a lot of dead seals on Great Saltee over the years. Its a major breeding colony so there's always going to be a few old and sick animals there.

OpenYourEyes

Half-cocked wrote: »

I found 2 dead bulls washed up on Great Saltee a few years back in early Spring, probably casualties from Winter storms, they were dead a long time and I was able to remove the head from one carcass. I've found a lot of dead seals on Great Saltee over the years. Its a major breeding colony so there's always going to be a few old and sick animals there.

I noticed a few carcasses from a distance on visits there last summer alright - some old, I think one fresh!


Just for anyone else reading this that may be visiting the Saltees this year and have their eye on a seal skull souvenier - go in early spring like Half-cocked did - in summer you'll more than likely illegally disturb a lot of gulls trying to get one!!

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Half-cocked wrote: »

I found 2 dead bulls washed up on Great Saltee a few years back in early Spring, probably casualties from Winter storms, they were dead a long time and I was able to remove the head from one carcass. I've found a lot of dead seals on Great Saltee over the years. Its a major breeding colony so there's always going to be a few old and sick animals there.

I have spent many nights on Great Saltee ( the last unfortunately back in 1980), usually 4 night stints very second year from 1968 to 1980. I'm mad at myself now for never having seen (or maybe just not noticed) any Grey Seal skulls during that time. More power to you!

Half-cocked

Terrence Tasteless Tableware wrote: »

I have spent many nights on Great Saltee ( the last unfortunately back in 1980), usually 4 night stints very second year from 1968 to 1980. I'm mad at myself now for never having seen (or maybe just not noticed) any Grey Seal skulls during that time. More power to you!

I'll keep an eye out for one for you if I make it out again this Spring!

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Half-cocked wrote: »

I'll keep an eye out for one for you if I make it out again this Spring!

Thanks but no thanks. If I bring another item in to this house my long suffering wife will lose the rag altogether. I actually offloaded a small mountain of pieces about 5 years ago and I still have too much - mostly junk and unexceptional but you know how it is with these things!

But give my love to the old place. Many a stormy night was spent by gas light in the old house; sitting around the stove, smoking a pipe and telling tales.

Half-cocked

Terrence Tasteless Tableware wrote: »

Thanks but no thanks. If I bring another item in to this house my long suffering wife will lose the rag altogether. I actually offloaded a small mountain of pieces about 5 years ago and I still have too much - mostly junk and unexceptional but you know how it is with these things!

But give my love to the old place. Many a stormy night was spent by gas light in the old house; sitting around the stove, smoking a pipe and telling tales.

Sadly the house is out of bounds now, you either sleep in the well house or in a tent, both of which allow you to enjoy the company of rats if you are foolish enough to keep your food with you:eek:

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Is anything being done to eradicate the rats? Rats on Great Saltee could be an absolute disaster!

Half-cocked

Terrence Tasteless Tableware wrote: »

Is anything being done to eradicate the rats? Rats on Great Saltee could be an absolute disaster!

The rats have been there a long time, way back when the island was farmed. There doesn't seem to be too much predation of the seabirds. The owners try to keep them under control around the buildings but otherwise they are left alone. Be nice if the resources were available to eradicate them though.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

I know they are there a long time but we trapped them for many years and I thought they had been cleared. Oh well, I can't see how the Manx, puffins etc can survive predation from rats. Anyway, enough of us dragging this thread off topic.