Examining and Identifying Mammalian Skulls

Skull Observations Activity                                                            Ms. Ng Chung

Purpose: 

Examine mammalian skulls and note their adaptations for finding food and eating. 

Part 1

Examine three diagrams of “mystery skulls”.  Label and identify them. 

Part 2

Examine actual specimens.  Examine key characteristics such as

Parts of skull : Eye sockets, nasal passages, auditory bullae, Foramina, Horns, Antlers, especially teeth.

Tasks:

1.  Draw specimens carefully and label the parts of the skull (as above).

2. Write their a.  characteristics.  b. Identify them as the following taxanomic order : 

                  Carnivore

                  Ungulates - Herbivore – ruminant

                  Rodents - Herbivore

                  hares and rabbits - Herbivore

                  Omnivore

3. give evidence for your thoughts. 

3. bonus:  attempt to make a positive identification.  (this is really challenging!!!! As we only have fragments of some of these). 

Hand in your work.