PA Envirothon SkullsPA Envirothon Skulls

Identifying SkullsIdentifying Skulls► Eye placementEye placement

PredatorsPredators► Eye sockets point forwardEye sockets point forward

PreyPrey► Eye sockets are placed to side of skullEye sockets are placed to side of skull

► ShapeShape Skull shape varies greatly species to speciesSkull shape varies greatly species to species

► TeethTeeth CaninesCanines

► Overlapping side canines generally denote predatorOverlapping side canines generally denote predator Meant for grabbing and holding preyMeant for grabbing and holding prey

► Overgrown middle incisors are rodentsOvergrown middle incisors are rodents Molars and PremolarsMolars and Premolars

► HerbivoresHerbivores Flat and meant to grind leavesFlat and meant to grind leaves

► CarnivoresCarnivores Cone shaped or pointed to grind meatCone shaped or pointed to grind meat

► OmnivoresOmnivores Both cone and flat, or cone shapedBoth cone and flat, or cone shaped

Forward-pointing eye sockets

Raccoon

Molars for herbivorous and carnivorous activity

Canines for carnivorous activity

Total teeth= 40

White-Tailed Deer

Long and hollow nasal cavity

Long space between molar and incisors

Molars for grinding down vegetation

Sideways pointing eye sockets

Total Teeth= 32

Coyote

Total Teeth=42

Forward placed eyes

Large canines and incisors for carnivorous activities

Sharp premolars for both grinding vegetation and slicing meat

Cottontail Rabbit

Side placed eyes

Nasal bone extends to or past incisors

Long space between molars and incisors

Large front incisors

Molars for grinding vegetation

Bobcat Forward-placed eye sockets

Curved forehead

Sharp premolars and molars

Overlapping Canines

Total teeth= 28

Black Bear

Total teeth= 40

Forward-pointing eye sockets Canines for

carnivorous activity

Molars for herbivorous and carnivorous activity

Beaver

Total teeth= 20

Side-placed eyes to avoid predators

Flat molars

Long overgrown incisors

RaccoonForward-pointing eye sockets

Molars for herbivorous and carnivorous activity

Canines for carnivorous activity

Total teeth= 40

Bobcat

Total teeth= 28

Forward-placed eye sockets

Overlapping Canines

Sharp premolars and molars

Curved forehead

Coyote

Forward placed eyes

Total Teeth=42

Large canines and incisors for carnivorous activities

Sharp premolars for both grinding vegetation and slicing meat

Beaver

Total teeth= 20

Side-placed eyes to avoid predators

Long overgrown incisors

Flat molars

Large incisors

Sideways eye placement

Molars for grinding vegetation

Cottontail Rabbit

Nasal bone extends to or past incisors

Large gap

Black Bear

Forward-pointing eye sockets

Canines for carnivorous activity

Molars for herbivorous and carnivorous activity

Total teeth= 40