by tropicalbats » Nov 25, 2005 11:59 pm
Zenas,
First things first. Take a look at that sketch you posted of the rabbit skull. There is a "peg tooth' noted. This is a second upper incisor located directly behind those big obvious front teeth.
Now go back to your original full-sized photo and see if it is clear whether this tooth is either present, or there is a hole there where it was. From the posted photo, I think this skull had this tooth, but can't be sure.
If the tooth is present, it is not a rodent but a lagomorph, ie, rabbit, hare or pika. If the tooth is absent, then you have a rodent.
That will get you to the "Order" at least.
And just to answer the unasked question about those funky teeth. Rodents and Lagomorphs have continually growing teeth. If they don't chew on rough stuff like grass, acorns or whatnot, their teeth will continue to grow but not be "filed back" so to speak by the food they are eating. Looks like this guy was eating a soft diet for some reason, and the teeth just kept growing. Could be part of why the creature died.
Cheers,
Keith Christenson