Porcupine quills are the sharp, stiff hairs that cover the body of a porcupine. These quills are used by porcupines as a form of self-defense against predators. When a predator tries to attack a porcupine, the porcupine will puff up...

Giraffa camelopardalis If you are looking for one of the most iconic animals in the wild, the giraffe is definitely it. With its long neck and graceful gait, the giraffe is one of the most beloved animals in the world....

Creating your own osteological collection at home can be a fun and educational hobby. Osteology, the study of bones, can provide insight into the anatomy and behavior of animals, both past and present. By building your own collection, you can...

When using skulls in education, the first question usually asked is "What kind of skull is that"? Skull identification can be determined by several methods. If you are unsure of a skull's identification, you can compare it with other known...

The pathology of a skull can tell you what may have caused an animals death. Pathology is damage that may be the result of trauma, disease or infection. These pathologic conditions might tell you if the animal was hit buy...

Horns or antlers found on a skull bear evidence of how an animal communicated, defended its self and possibly the animals sex. Animals can protect themselves or attack other animals by goring them with their horns or antlers. Bighorn sheep,...

"Eyes in the front, the animal hunts. Eyes on the side, the animal hides."   What do the eye sockets of a skull tell you about an animal? A lot! Eye sockets that are large in relation to the size...

The beak of a bird is an extension of its skull and is designed for feeding. Some beaks have evolved to specialize in feeding specific items. A duck, hawk, hummingbird and sparrow are all birds, but their beaks are very...