Bones Unknown
March 3, 2016 12:30 PM Subscribe
Found some bones. Be they sheep, deer, or monster?
There's a brook in the woods where I live. We found some bones in it.
On a hunch, I'd say they were sheep bones. Though deer is just as probable as we get plenty of them about. But I'm not an expert and so wondered if anyone here was.
There's a bit of jaw, some pelvis, a big ball joint and a piece of some big leggy bone thing. What do I need to look for so I can ID them?
(For bonus points: how should I clean them so that my son can take them to school? I was thinking of soaking them in diluted thin bleach. Would that be okay? I've also got a bottle of "Antiformin 'S'" that I use to clean my brewing equipment. (data sheet) Would that be more suitable?)
Pictures here.
There's a brook in the woods where I live. We found some bones in it.
On a hunch, I'd say they were sheep bones. Though deer is just as probable as we get plenty of them about. But I'm not an expert and so wondered if anyone here was.
There's a bit of jaw, some pelvis, a big ball joint and a piece of some big leggy bone thing. What do I need to look for so I can ID them?
(For bonus points: how should I clean them so that my son can take them to school? I was thinking of soaking them in diluted thin bleach. Would that be okay? I've also got a bottle of "Antiformin 'S'" that I use to clean my brewing equipment. (data sheet) Would that be more suitable?)
Pictures here.
Best answer: No, don't use bleach -- it will break down the bones too much. Soak them in peroxide for a few days and then rinse them.
posted by ananci at 2:21 PM on March 3, 2016
posted by ananci at 2:21 PM on March 3, 2016
Response by poster: Had a look a Jake's Bones. Still inconclusive as I only have the lower jaw not the top. Now wondering if the bones are bovine.
posted by popcassady at 2:47 PM on March 3, 2016
posted by popcassady at 2:47 PM on March 3, 2016
Best answer: With only the lower jaw you may not be able to get a definitive answer, but what you're looking for is a dental formula.
Good bone cleaning tips are available at Bonelust.
posted by pullayup at 2:53 PM on March 3, 2016 [2 favorites]
Good bone cleaning tips are available at Bonelust.
posted by pullayup at 2:53 PM on March 3, 2016 [2 favorites]
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posted by teremala at 12:40 PM on March 3, 2016 [2 favorites]