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Meadow Vole

Microtus pennsylvanicus

Photo by Tom15
Published on Project Noah
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42.4334, -71.6078

Field Notes

Notes:

These jaw bones and another set of jaws were found in the largest owl pellet I've ever seen. The pellet was 3 times the normal size for a Great Horned Owl.

Species ID Suggestions

Meadow Vole

Microtus pennsylvanicus

Reference Link
zoomanallen
0

Comments (8)
zoomanallen
This looks like the premaxillas and maxillas for a rodent, and from looking at photos I'm gonna say these match up with your other spotting, meadow vole. http://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/4263/Rodentia/specimens/
Tom15
Thanks zoomanallen. This makes sense for the top jaw of a Meadow Vole after you identified the lower jaw in the same owl pellet.
Tom15
Emily, thanks for the squirrel suggestion. It isn't too big, so maybe a red squirrel. I'll wait for you to confirm before I put a name on it.
EmilyMarino
My guess is squirrel, but I will have to get back to you when I can confirm for sure!
Tom15
Ian this is definitely from a rodent, but too small to be a beaver. The orange part of the teeth are just under 3/4" or about 15mm. It was one of a couple animals found in an owl pellet.
IanMason
Looks like something related to the beaver from the large orange teeth. They put the orange stuff on the teeth to protect them when chewing so I think it may be some type of beaver.
Tom15
Thanks for the Pocket gopher suggestion. All the references I looked at don't have any of the Pocket gophers ranging into the northeast.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Identifying Animals Through Osteology
Photographed
PublishedApril 7, 2013

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