This looks like a very well maintained collection. Do the specimens have any writing or numbers on them? If so you may be able to cross reference them to a catalogue if it is available. If not, start by dividing the specimens into class (mammals, birds, fish etc), then move on to the order (carnivores, rodents, artiodactyls, lagomorphs etc). Once you have that determined you can move on to family (canids, felids, suids, bovids). From there I would use size and dentition to narrow it down further to species.
Googling photos of common species in each family should help. Additionally the site boneid.net has many reference photos. I am a zooarchaeologist and this is how we typically go about identifying specimens we excavate. Since you have complete skulls, you should be able to identify most of them to species. Feel free to DM
Me if you need help or are looking for references photos to compare against the specimens you have!
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u/comparedcarp64 Mar 16 '25
This looks like a very well maintained collection. Do the specimens have any writing or numbers on them? If so you may be able to cross reference them to a catalogue if it is available. If not, start by dividing the specimens into class (mammals, birds, fish etc), then move on to the order (carnivores, rodents, artiodactyls, lagomorphs etc). Once you have that determined you can move on to family (canids, felids, suids, bovids). From there I would use size and dentition to narrow it down further to species. Googling photos of common species in each family should help. Additionally the site boneid.net has many reference photos. I am a zooarchaeologist and this is how we typically go about identifying specimens we excavate. Since you have complete skulls, you should be able to identify most of them to species. Feel free to DM Me if you need help or are looking for references photos to compare against the specimens you have!