North American Opossum

Cindy, I couldn't agree more! That's why I started this mission! :D

Thank you all for your help and comments! Its amazing how there is beauty in death. The mystery part is fun too!

My first thought was opossum as well. The incisors do look different compared to some of the other photos in this mission, but I bet it has to do with age of the animal or the angle the photo was taken at! Another cool spotting Cindy, thanks!

I would suggest as others already have that what you have is the remains of an opossum.

Juveniles have slightly different dentition. This one appears to be an adult. The skull I have is from a younger specimen who was just starting to grow in it's adult teeth, and you can see the difference in shape from the ones that were being replaced. It's pretty neat!

Hi Shane, take a look at my other spotting of a dead Opossum. The teeth seem different than this one. Any ideas? http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/114...

I think it's an opossum. The skull is just badly crushed and missing some teeth. I'm comparing to a skull I have in my collection, and the teeth match up perfectly when held at these angles.

Hey, it's close! Now I wish I would have braved the Poison Oak to get a different angle and size comparison but I had my kids with me and didn't want to set a bad example :)

Hi CBK - I think upper dentition is a really good match for gray fox... http://www.saguaro-juniper.com/i_and_i/m...

Great observation you two! Hmmm we have Raccoon, Ringtail, Gray Fox, Coyote, Bobcat, Cougar, Skunk, and Weasel. I can't think of any more other than a lot of rodents.

Are opossums vegetarians? You might be right Emma there's not very many plant grinding teeth there. Any little carnivores in the area?

The Dental structure seems to be different than an oppossums.