BajaNomad

What Type of Skull Is This?

Floatflyer - 3-26-2013 at 08:31 AM

Raven, the mini lap Lab, found this skull on the beach about a mile north of Cabo Pulmo. It measures about 14" by 14" and is approximately 29" long. The average human skull is about 6.5" wide and 8.5" long.

So, what sort of creature do you think this is, Nomads?





Taco de Baja - 3-26-2013 at 08:34 AM

Some type of small whale. The bottom hole that looks like a "nose" in the bottom 2 photos is where the spinal cord attaches.

bajaguy - 3-26-2013 at 08:47 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Taco de Baja
Some type of small whale. The bottom hole that looks like a "nose" in the bottom 2 photos is where the spinal cord attaches.





Or dolphin

Taco de Baja - 3-26-2013 at 09:02 AM

Key to IDing Whale skulls: ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/009/t0725e/t0725e06.pdf

Note, this is a large file so it takes a while to load.


==================
Edit: added photo

It's likely a pygmy beaked whale (Mesoplodon peruvianus) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pygmy_beaked_whale



[Edited on 3-26-2013 by Taco de Baja]

tripledigitken - 3-26-2013 at 09:21 AM

elephant seal? Not sure if they populate that area, just a wild guess.


Bob H - 3-26-2013 at 09:38 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by tripledigitken
elephant seal? Not sure if they populate that area, just a wild guess.




Here are images of elephant seal skulls....

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=elephant+seal+skull&...

durrelllrobert - 3-26-2013 at 10:15 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob H
Quote:
Originally posted by tripledigitken
elephant seal? Not sure if they populate that area, just a wild guess.




Here are images of elephant seal skulls....

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=elephant+seal+skull&...


:?::?::?::?::?: NOT!

tripledigitken - 3-26-2013 at 10:22 AM

Ok, I just looked up elephant seal skulls, not even close.

my bad.

mtgoat666 - 3-26-2013 at 10:28 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Floatflyer
So, what sort of creature do you think this is, Nomads?


pointy nosed marine mammal. :lol::lol:

did you take pics of teeth sockets?

durrelllrobert - 3-26-2013 at 10:43 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Floatflyer
Raven, the mini lap Lab, found this skull on the beach about a mile north of Cabo Pulmo. It measures about 14" by 14" and is approximately 29" long. The average human skull is about 6.5" wide and 8.5" long.

So, what sort of creature do you think this is, Nomads?







Loks like it could have belonged to an ancestor of Nancy Pelosi

Skipjack Joe - 3-26-2013 at 09:23 PM

It looks to be the skull of a porpoise/dolphin.

The elephant seal should have the jaws of a land carnivore, with large canines. The bulbous nose is soft and would not be part of the skeletal system.

[Edited on 3-27-2013 by Skipjack Joe]

mcfez - 3-28-2013 at 09:17 AM

Sort of looks like Porky Pig's skull. He hasn't made any new cartoons lately....