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Virginia opossum jaw bone

Didelphis virginiana

Description:

Jaw bone (about 4 inches) and piece of a brain case. Found with fish jaw and vertebrae in a cache in a ravine.

Habitat:

Forested area near a small pond and fields in rural area.

Notes:

The last image has jaw bones from a raccoon above and a mountain cottontail below, both found in Utah, for reference.

1 Species ID Suggestions

zoomanallen
zoomanallen 11 years ago
Virginia opossum
Didelphis virginiana Didelphis virginiana


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3 Comments

GeoffreyPalmer
GeoffreyPalmer 11 years ago

Ok, yes, looking now, I think you are correct about the opossum ID. The second picture does show the angular process is inflected as it should be for a marsupial, but it is worn or broken off...cool find!

zoomanallen
zoomanallen 11 years ago

I uploaded more photos, but comparing it to other jaws I'm thinking Virginia opossum, maybe a juvenile.

GeoffreyPalmer
GeoffreyPalmer 11 years ago

Looks like a rabbit jaw? Possible to get a look at the outside (labial) of the jaw?

zoomanallen
Spotted by
zoomanallen

Jefferson City, Missouri, USA

Spotted on Sep 19, 2012
Submitted on Sep 19, 2012

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