Skull & Skeletons

Archaeopteryx lithographica.,Archaeopteryx, sometimes referred to by its German name Urvogel ("original bird" or "first bird"), is the earliest and most primitive bird known. The name is from the Ancient Greek meaning "feather" or "wing". Archaeopteryx lived in the late Jurassic Period around 150–145 million years ago, in what is now southern Germany during a time when Europe was an archipelago of islands in a shallow warm tropical sea, much closer to the equator than it is now. Similar in size and shape to a European Magpie, Archaeopteryx could grow to about 0.5 metres (1.6 ft) in length. Despite its small size, broad wings, and inferred ability to fly or glide, Archaeopteryx has more in common with small theropod dinosaurs than it does with modern birds. In particular, it shares the following features with the deinonychosaurs (dromaeosaurs and troodontids): jaws with sharp teeth, three fingers with claws, a long bony tail, hyperextensible second toes ("killing claw"), feathers (which also suggest homeothermy), and various skeletal features. The features above make Archaeopteryx the first clear candidate for a transitional fossil between dinosaurs and birds. The first complete specimen of Archaeopteryx was announced in 1861, only two years after Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species, and it became a key piece of evidence in the debate over evolution. 

*Specifications: CLASS: Aves ORDER: Archaeopterygiformes FAMILY: Archaeopterygidae Origin: Solnhofen, Germany *

Skull Length: 5 cm (2.0 in) 

Aptenodytes patagonica.The king penguin, reaching nearly 3 feet tall, is second only to the emperor penguin in size. This large flightless bird nests in colonies up to 10,000 individuals. The king penguins range includes Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, Tierra del Fuego, and many other islands throughout the sub-Antarctic. The king penguin feeds on fish, but specializes in eating squid.

Specifications:

CLASS: Aves  ORDER: Sphenisciformes. FAMILY: Spheniscidae 

Origin: Antarctica Diet: Carnivore 

Skull Length: 7.6 in.

The first Australopithecus boisei specimen, originally named Zinjanthropus boisei, was discovered in 1959 by Mary Leaky at the Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania, Africa. A. boisei skulls have been found in Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Kenya.

* Skull Length: 22.5 cm (8.9 in)

Cro-Magnon Skull

Cro-Magnons are recognized as the earliest know race of modern humans, Homo sapiens. Generally considered the earliest European descendants, Cro-Magnons lived between 10,000 and 35,000 years ago. The first Cro-Magnon specimens were discovered in France in 1868 along with many sophisticated tools, artifacts and cave paintings. Cro-Magnons are credited with creating the first calendar nearly 34,000 years ago.

*Skull Length: 20 cm (7.9 in)

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Madoqua guentheri,The Gunther’s dik dik is small species of antelope native to the scrub deserts of eastern Africa. The name “dik dik” comes from the sound made by these small bovids. This species is a grazer feeding on various grasses and shrubs. As an adaptation to their desert life, this species uses its large proboscis as a circulatory cooling chamber that, in turn, cools the blood throughout its body.

*Specifications: CLASS: Mammalia ORDER: Artiodactyla FAMILY: Bovidae O

*Skull Length: 12 cm (4.7 in) Horn Length: 9 cm (3.5 in)

Oreamnos americanus,The mountain goat is found in North America from southern Alaska, throughout much of British Columbia and into northwestern United States. This agile species inhabits mountainous rocky cliffs and hillsides generally above the tree line. The mountain goat is an herbivorous browser feeding on shrubs, grasses, berries and lichens. Horns are found in both male and females of this species.

*Specifications: CLASS: Mammalia ORDER: Artiodactyla FAMILY: Bovidae Origin: North America

*Skull Length: 25 cm (9.8 in) Average Horn Length: 19 cm (7.5 in)

Homo erectus.,Peking Man Skull - Modeled after the 1995 reconstruction of Peking Man created by Sawyer and Tattersall of the American Museum of Natural History, this Homo erectus skull is based on fossils of several individuals found in the caves at Zhoukoudian, China. It represents a complete male erectus skull dating from 500,000 years ago.

*Skull Length: 21.5 cm (8.5 in)

Australopithecus africanus., designated STS 5, was discovered by Robert Broom and John T. Robinson in Sterkfontein, Transvaal, South Africa in 1947. Although originally considered female, study of the roots of the canine teeth has cast serious doubt on it's gender, leading most to believe it is,in fact, from a sub-adult male instead. 

*Skull Length:  19 cm (7.5 in)

Austrolopithecus afarensis., Lucy is, quite possibly, the most well-known fossil hominid. Discovered by Donald Johanson and Tom Gray in 1974 at Hadar, Ethiopia, Lucy is dated at 3.2 million years old. This specimen, a 40% complete skeleton of an adult female, gave sufficient evidence that A. afarensis was a bipedal species that walked upright. Lucy, scientifically known as AL 288-1, was named after the Beatles song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds."

*Skull Lengh 7.2in.

KNM ER 1470 Skull - First discovered in Koobi Fora, Kenya is 1972, Homo rudolphensis has consistently been the subject for debate. Many anthropologists believe this specimen to belong to the Australopithecine genus while some favor Homo habilis as its species. There are many features used to distinguish this sole specimen (KNM ER 1470) from both of these groups, but a consensus has yet to be reached.

*Specifications: CLASS: Fossil Hominids ORDER: Fossil Hominids FAMILY: Fossil Hominidae Origin: Kenya

*Skull Lenght 7.3in.

KNM ER 1813 - This small, but very complete skull was found at Koobi Fora, Kenya, in 1973 by Kamoya Kimeu. It dates back to 1.9 MYA and is considered an early member of the Homo genus. It's minute brain capacity, however, leads many to place it within the Australopithecus group.

*Specifications: CLASS: Fossil Hominids ORDER: Fossil Hominids FAMILY: Fossil Hominidae Origin: Koobi Fora, Lake Turkana, Kenya 2.3 - 1.6 mya

*Skull Length: 19 cm (7.5 in)

Aegyptopithecus Skull Replica

Aegyptopithecus zeuxis., Aegyptopithecus zeuxis was discovered in Egypt in the early 1900’s. Aged at 33 million years old, Aegyptopithecus existed during the Oligocene epoch. At this time, the area now known as Egypt was a lush tropical forest. Based on dental and physiological morphology, it is believed that Aegyptopithecus was an arboreal species that fed on fruits and other soft plant parts in the treetops. This early primate, sometimes called the “Dawn Ape”, exhibited both ape and monkey characteristics and is thought to be the earliest known ancestor to the old world apes. Other Names: "Dawn Ape"

* Skull Length: 10 cm (3.9 in)

Payara Wolf Fish Skull Replica

Hydrolycus scomberoides. The Payara, also called the wolf or vampire fish, is found in tropical rivers of South America. Known for its fierce canine-like teeth, this predator feeds on many smaller fish species. Full-grown payara can reach a length of 46" and weigh up to 40 lbs. Other Names: "Wolf Fish", "Vampire Fish"

*Specifications: CLASS: Osteichthyes ORDER: Characiformes FAMILY: Characidae Origin: Amazon & Orinoco River Basin

*Skull Length: 8.1"

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Moray Eel Skull Replica

Lycodontis funebris. Moray eels are native to tropical and subtropical oceans where they dwell in coral reefs. Like most eels, the moray has a long, snake-like appearance. Their lack of pectoral and pelvic fins, as well as their scaleless skin, give eels a unique appearance. Morays use their have large, powerful jaws to catch their prey. This species can grow up to 13 feet (4 m) in length. 

*Specifications: CLASS: Osteichthyes ORDER: Anguilliformes FAMILY: Muraenidae Origin: Oceans World Wide

*Skull Length: 5.7"

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Alligator Gar Skull Replica of Atractosteus spatula. This primitive ray-finned fish can be found in most of the southeastern United States. Unlike other species of gar, when mature an alligator gar possesses a dual row of teeth in the upper jaw.

*Specifications: CLASS: Osteichthyes ORDER: Lepisosteiformes FAMILY: Lepisosteidae Origin: North America 

15" x 6.5" x 4.5"

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