Mink Skull

NikonUser · Post by **NikonUser** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 1:57 pm

I can count about 10 reasons why you would not want to handle a wild Mink
From a road kill in 1982. Length: 2.5"
105mm lens@f11; HF stack of 29 frames@1mm

rjlittlefield · Post by **rjlittlefield** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 3:08 pm

"...10 reasons why you would not want to handle a wild Mink..."

One for each of the fingers you'd probably lose in the process? (No smiley on that.)

This is a very clean image. You'd probably appreciate some of the other skulls we've had in the forum. Bruce Williams did several back in 2007, like this one. Forum search on "skull" finds the ones I remember.

--Rik

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 3:51 pm

Well I can count at least 22 just from this side alone, maybe more if I look hard enough beyond the 22 reasons that I can see, over on the other side. Clean shot there NU

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 6:55 am

A great looking skull NU. I try not to tell too many people that I look for skulls on the side of the road when I walk. I thought I was the only one

Jbailey · Post by **Jbailey** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 7:31 am

What more can I say---perfectly rendered!

Jim

P_T · Post by **P_T** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 8:56 am

Crisp and clean with great lighting!! This would look great in those anatomy books!!

Is it just me or do some of those teeth looks like shark teeth?

lauriek · Post by **lauriek** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 9:13 am

P_T wrote: Is it just me or do some of those teeth looks like shark teeth?

Nope not just you. Those ones behind the canines yes? I guess they've evolved for grabbing fish so we shouldn't be surprised at the similarity!

Lovely lighting on that skull NU!

NikonUser · Post by **NikonUser** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 1:37 pm

Thanks everyone.
Ken: Mink have 34 teeth; 16 in upper jaw, 18 in lower. The differences between jaws is that the lower has two molars on each side and the upper only 1 on each side.

P_T, luriek: The shark-like teeth are premolars and I believe are used for slicing through flesh rather than for grabbing.

That large back tooth on the upper jaw is the 3rd (last) premolar and it shears against the (hidden) 1st molar in the lower jaw. These are the carnassial teeth and used to cut through tendons and bone.

Doug: For the smaller road-kills I pick up the whole animal but for the larger ones such as racoon and beaver I just cut off the head hoping that there are no onlookers. Can't image what others think when they find a de-capitated racoon at the side of the road; perhaps some strange satanic cult in the neighbourhood.

Harold Gough · Post by **Harold Gough** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 2:54 am

NikonUser wrote:Can't image what others think when they find a de-capitated racoon at the side of the road; perhaps some strange satanic cult in the neighbourhood.

Maybe "What the hex going on?"

I agree with all the compliments.

Harold

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 5:01 am

You know it would be quite startling to find a decapitated animal on the roadside. Sure would get folks to talking around here, maybe even make the local evening news if a good many of them were found. Maybe I should look into getting a bone saw.

Cyclops · Post by **Cyclops** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 5:35 am

Fantastic shot!
Whats they yellow matter in parts of it? Theres some where the nose would be.

Harold Gough · Post by **Harold Gough** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 5:35 am

Technically, is a female deer road-kill a Jane Doe?

Harold