Small Deer Skull with Atlas Vertebra – Natural Uncleaned Doe Cranium 7 in

Description

A small natural deer skull with the first neck vertebra (the atlas) still with it. It was found naturally in the woods out of state (Oregon or Colorado) during field surveys, and it is naturally sun-dried with very little cleaning done. Species is not confirmed. My best guess is a deer, most likely a doe or young deer (mule deer or white-tailed deer), based on the narrow skull, the crescent-ridged upper molars and the lack of upper front teeth, which is normal for deer and other cud-chewing animals. There are no antler bases or horn cores, which fits a doe or fawn. A domestic sheep or goat is the other possibility, so please treat the identification as a best guess.

This is an aged, uncleaned specimen. The braincase is creamy white and weathered, with the seams (sutures) still open along the top and between the eyes, which suggests a younger animal, and a few small natural holes and fine cracks. Both rows of upper cheek teeth are in place, showing the crescent-shaped ridges typical of deer. The snout tip (nasal and front jaw bones) is broken off and missing, and there is no lower jaw. Dried tissue and sinew remain on the underside and around the back of the skull, and the ring-shaped atlas vertebra is loosely attached at the back by dried tissue; one photo shows it set beside the skull. The photos show the skull from the side, the top, the underside and an angle with the atlas attached.

Features:

• Natural deer skull (best guess doe or young deer; sheep or goat possible), species not confirmed
• Upper cheek teeth (premolars and molars) in place on both sides
• No upper front teeth, which is normal for deer
• First neck vertebra (atlas) included, loosely attached by dried tissue
• Open skull seams (sutures) on top, which suggests a younger animal
• Snout tip (nasal and front jaw bones) broken off and missing; no lower jaw
• Dried tissue and sinew remnants; not cleaned, whitened or sealed
• Approx. 7 x 4 x 4 inches, 8.8 oz
• One of a kind: you get the skull pictured

Sold as is for buyers who want to clean, whiten or display it themselves. Wearing gloves, then cleaning and sanitizing before handling, is advisable. Great for oddity and curiosity collections, natural-history and skull study, bone and skeleton displays, art and craft projects, altars, or Halloween and gothic decor once cleaned. Decorative use only.

Legal note: this is a natural, aged specimen found out of state (not in Washington), sold as a natural-history and curiosity item. It has no antlers or velvet and is not from bighorn sheep or mountain goat. Because it still has dried tissue, please check your own state’s or country’s rules on deer parts (some places restrict deer skulls with any soft tissue under chronic wasting disease rules) before you buy; I can’t ship where it isn’t allowed.

Aged item: As is, no returns. Local pickup in Sumas, WA.

Shipping note: wrapped in bubble wrap and boxed, 8 x 6 x 6 inches, 10.2 oz packed. Live carrier rates only; no flat rate.