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Project Noah Nature School
Canis lupus familiaris
This is a diagram that shows the two measurements necessary to determine whether a found skull is from a coyote or a domestic dog. The diagram is modeled after the diagram in Mark Elbroch's "Animal Skulls: A guide to North American Species", a great resource for those interested in identifying the skull of vertebrates. This is a dog skull that I found while working out on Fort Hood, Texas. When many soldiers are deployed they take their dogs out on the base and release them. Many are picked up and taken to the pound, but unfortunately others are not found in time...
This is for the_tajminator: I suggest measuring in millimeters or cenitmeters. Measurement A: The distance from just in front of the first pre-molar (the first tooth behind the canine) to the back of the last molar in the back of the jaw. Measurement B: The distance between the first pre-molars. Divide the value of A by the value of B (A/B) to get C, A/B = C, so if C is greater than 2.7 it is likely from a coyote. For this particular skull A = 54mm while B = 32mm so C = 1.69, definitely a dog. Dogs tend to have a wider jaw (A) compared to the length (B) than coyotes do.
Spotted on Jul 13, 2012
Submitted on Jul 13, 2012
7 Comments
so looks like it's a dog
Ok measurement A is 8cm B is 4 1/2
the_tajminator you're awesome! I can't wait to find out what we learn! I haven't heard back from my skull expert so it looks like it's up to you!
...and Geoffery, thanks for reminding me about that book! I have used it in the past to ID squirrels, prairie dogs and such. I have read through the canine section but it's been a while. I didn't remember reading about the formula so this is great! I will be reading through this book again tonight! :)
Thank you very much. The next time I'm out there I'll bring my measuring tape and we'll finally find out for sure
Hey Emily, ok, I saw your comment on the other discussion, glad you found this one! I'll link them as Ava suggested. That book is full of useful info, almost too much though! The man is clearly obsessed. His other book on mammal tracks and sign is just as detailed. But this formula has helped me ID a couple of finds, and I'm glad I can pass the info on!
Geoffery this is exceptional thanks! I actually have that book! Maybe I should give it a read again! Ha!
What interesting information! The best way to be sure the_tajminator sees this is to put the url for this spotting as a comment on one of her spottings. She'll like it a lot, I'm sure.