Wolf Head CSI Fun Time | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

In this video, the host performs a CSI project by examining a wolf skull to determine if it was killed by a mountain lion or shot.

Key Insights

• 💀 Examining the bite size on a wolf skull can help determine if it was killed by a mountain lion.
• 🤕 The condition of a wolf pelt can provide information about its age and possible cause of death.
• 🙂 Old wolves often have lighter coats and damaged teeth.
• ☠️ The traumatic injuries and broken bones on the skull suggest a more excessive force of impact than a typical mountain lion kill.
• 🤨 Discovering bullet fragments raises the possibility of the wolf being shot.
• 💀 The examination of a wolf skull provides valuable insights into the dynamics of predation in native wilderness ecosystems.
• 💀 The process of cleaning and dissecting a wolf skull involves removing tissue, muscle, and brain matter.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: How can examining the bite size of a wolf skull determine if it was killed by a mountain lion?

By comparing the size of the bite to known mountain lion skull sizes, researchers can determine if the bite matches the typical pattern of a mountain lion kill.

Q: What are some signs that the wolf was old?

The wolf has a lighter coat, which is common in aging wolves. Additionally, its teeth are damaged and worn down, indicating old age.

Q: Why is it important to determine if the wolf was killed by a mountain lion?

Examining the dynamics of predation in ecosystems helps researchers understand how these ecosystems function and provides valuable insight into native wilderness.

Q: What other possible cause of death does the host consider?

The host finds fragments of a bullet, suggesting a possible gunshot as the cause of death for the wolf.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The host collects a wolf skull to determine if it was killed by a mountain lion by matching the size of the bite to mountain lion skulls in their collection.

• The wolf pelt is in a rotting condition with mold spots, and the host begins the process of cleaning and dissecting the skull.

• The skull shows signs of being an old wolf, with a lighter coat, damaged teeth, and evidence of trauma and broken bones, suggesting it may not have been killed by a mountain lion.