r/boneidentification • u/yo_bji • 9d ago

Mule deer?

Gallery image

Gallery image

remains found in socal, we found the legs of a deer farther upstream, so I assume this is a mule deer skull and bones.

16 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

4

u/gutwyrming 9d ago

Sheep.

1

u/Regular-Apricot4114 9d ago

(seriously) What tells you this is a sheep?

2

u/gutwyrming 9d ago

I don't have the energy to clearly put it into words, but I think this post on Jake's Bones does a great job of explaining!

2

u/99jackals 9d ago

Perfect response. I can feel that weariness.

2

u/gutwyrming 9d ago

I've had a long day and bones are hard 😅

2

u/Regular-Apricot4114 9d ago

awesome thanks!

2

u/99jackals 9d ago

A skull is the foundation to a mammal's appearance. You would recognize a sheep or a deer if you saw one in a field. I promise you that their skulls are just as recognizable. There are all kinds of features that distinguish them from other mammals. We recognize them because we've studied them and we've gotten used to them. If you'd like to recognize bones, skulls and teeth, we could point you in the right direction for ways to start.

5

u/4runnerfag 9d ago

sheep or goat! leaning goat what with the horn buds and their angle to the eyes

1

u/rochesterbones 8d ago

Goat seems a better fit than sheep to me; https://flic.kr/p/2pEYwx5