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tintock
30-03-2009, 22:01
Can anyone help me identify this partial skeleton? My mate found it on a beach today and he's worried about foul play!

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z284/tintock/UnidentifiedBones.jpg

JonathanD
30-03-2009, 22:03
Looks like a dog to me. What size was it?

launditch1
30-03-2009, 22:19
Its not human mate!:D

tintock
30-03-2009, 22:36
Its not human mate!:D

Aye, I'm trying to reassure him of that lol!


Looks like a dog to me. What size was it?

He reckons that the visible skelton was about 4.5ft long.

Toddy
30-03-2009, 23:13
Have a look at these seal and dolphin skeletons..........do either seem familiar ?

http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Seal-Skeleton-Teaching-Chart-Posters_i2370029_.htm

cheers,
Toddy

tintock
30-03-2009, 23:16
Aye, good shout Toddy!

Not a dolphin, I don't think, as it there seems to be a hip bone present. There's loads of dolphins around the Angus coastline mind you, but it could certainly be a seal - the length would be about right.

firecrest
30-03-2009, 23:26
Not a dolphin it has a pelvis.

This is a dog pelvis
http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/958/25015652.JPG


I cant find a descent picture of a seal pelvis but there seems to be a femur still attatched in the picture, its possibly too long for a seal but I really cannot tell, im certainly no expert at bones.

Toddy
30-03-2009, 23:48
More images of a seal skeleton here

http://www.theboneman.com/pinnipedskeletons.html

Somewhere I know I have a comparative mammalian skeleton analysis, and I can't find it. Sorry :o

cheers,
Toddy

smoggy
31-03-2009, 01:19
I think tody's first link showing the seal makes the ID, does for me anyway....pelvic and femur (?).....as to which sort of seal....?

Smoggy.

tintock
31-03-2009, 08:18
Aye, I think that puts the "seal" on it (ouch!). Thanks for all your help on this ID.

smoggy
31-03-2009, 14:16
Thanks for posting tintock....I do like these type of posts...not only fun but educational too

Smoggy

Wayland
01-04-2009, 10:14
Looks like a seal to me.

I was pulling teeth from a seal carcase near Dunstaburgh a couple of weeks ago and it's about the right size.

tintock
02-04-2009, 08:43
Thanks for the additional comments, folks - my mate is much relieved that he hadn't stumbled on a murder scene!