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Wildlife Spotting

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37.534, -79.7014

Field Notes

Description:

2.7 inches long. 4 small molars. And one large incisor measuring 1 inch.

Notes:

My husband and I found this in our garden while planting today. The dirt in our yard is all fill dirt that was trucked in about 10 years ago. Not sure if this is even native to our region but would really like to know what it is.

Species ID Suggestions

Groundhog

Marmota monax

Reference Link
zoomanallen
1

Comments (8)
zoomanallen
Judging by the size of the specimen and the shape of the teeth, I think it's a mandible from a groundhog. and mostly complete, just missing structures on the back. Check out the photos here to see a full mandible.http://www.thefossilforum.com/index.php?/topic/22051-help-to-identify-jaw-bone/
KaylaWillsCampbell
So it's defiantly not the dinosaur or some extinct animal as my darling husband thought.
bee.jacbs
Thanks Kayla. The measurements definitely help. I don't have the right books with me now, but I think it is from a kind of rodent. Possibly a gopher of some kind.
bee.jacbs
Hi Kayla, Do you have some measurements, or could you put a ruler next to the bone. That might help narrow down the possibilities.
zoomanallen
Looks like a herbivore of some kind. measurements and photos of the molars would help with an ID. also there is a mission for animal bones http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/8475425
KaylaWillsCampbell
Are they native to Virginia or is it something that came in when they brought dirt in?
Phil_S
With that tusk-like incisor, maybe a wild boar?

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Identifying Animals Through Osteology
Photographed
PublishedApril 11, 2013

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