Bone Clones

Human Skull, Porotic Hyperostosis and Cribra Orbitalia

BC-405

Porotic hyperostosis and cribra orbitalia are porous cranial lesions that are associated with metabolic or general nutritional stress. It is said to be caused by iron deficiency anemia, nutrient deficiencies, infectious disease, and/or poor sanitation. However, recent studies have suggested that hemolytic and megaloblastic anemias are the more likely cause of porotic hyperostosis. Porotic hyperostosis occurs as porous areas on the skull vault, while cribra orbitalia refers to porous areas within the orbits. This skull exhibits porotic hyperostosis involving posterior portion of the frontal bone, across the coronal suture into the left parietal bone. A small quarter-sized defect can be seen on the right parietal bone. Cribra orbitalia can be seen on the roof of the left eye orbit.

bioarchaeology

King Penguin Skull
BC-368

King penguins, the second-largest species of penguin, are visually striking birds with their vibrant orange and yellow markings and tuxedo-like plumage. One particularly interesting skeletal feature is their solid bones, contrasting with the hollow bones of flying birds. This dense bone structure helps them dive to depths over 300 meters by reducing buoyancy. Additionally, their flipper-like wings, anchored by a flat sternum and supported by a shortened humerus, are powerful tools for “flying” underwater, making them expert deep-sea foragers, chasing prey with remarkable agility and speed.

biology

Coelacanth (Life Cast)
LC-239

The fossil record shows the existence of many species of coelacanth including Caridosuctor populosum, dating back over 320 million years. It was thought to have become extinct 65-80 mya; that is, until a modern species was rediscovered in the Indian Ocean (near Madagascar and the Comoros Islands) in 1938. Often called a “living fossil,” this lobe-finned fish is considered one of the most significant zoological discoveries of the 20th century. The African species, which this is, Latimeria chalumnae, is blue. The Indonesian species, Latimeria menadoensis, is generally brown. This specimen was caught by trawlers in relatively shallow waters just off the coast of Tulear (Toliara) in Madagascar.

Opossum Skull
BC-363E

The opossum is the only marsupial found in North America. From nose to tail, opossums are about 2 ½ feet long and weigh approximately 10 lbs with a pointed snout and a hairless, prehensile tail. Marsupials give birth to live young who promptly crawl into the mother’s pouch to continue development. Opossums can give birth to about 20 joeys (baby opossums) per litter.

Opossums are often misunderstood, they play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy environment. By scavenging on dead animals and consuming disease-carrying ticks, they help keep ecosystems in balance. As they forage for food, opossums naturally pick up ticks, and their grooming habits involve removing and eating these ticks. This behavior may even help reduce Lyme disease cases in certain areas.

It’s Spring Time!
Bird eggs are being found everywhere! Here are some staff favorites

KO-402 Northern Cardinal Egg
KO-432 Osprey Egg
KO-427 American Robin Egg
KO-410 Bald Eagle Egg
KO-030 Ruby-throated Hummingbird Egg

Marine Mammals!
Here are some favorites…

Sea Otter Skull BC-014
Inhabiting the coastal kelp beds of western North America, the sea otter is a highly intelligent and inquisitive mammal. It is most famous for swimming on its back and using stones as tools to break open the hard shells of mollusks.

Guadalupe Fur Seal Skull, Female BC-359
Found in the west coastal waters of Mexico and Southern California, this brown-grey seal occupies coastal rocky habitats and caves. Their breeding grounds are almost entirely on Guadalupe Island, off the Pacific coast of Mexico, though a small number of have been reported on the Channel Islands off the coast of California.

California Sea Lion Skull BC-343
The California sea lion can often be seen resting in colonies, noisily barking and sitting upon each other. They are a common sight in harbors, on buoys and docks along the coasts and shores of Vancouver Island, BC, California, Mexico, islands of the Galapagos and Japan.

otters california californiacoast

Southern Tamandua Skull
BC-367

The southern tamandua, the arboreal relative of the anteater, is a medium-sized xenarthran mammal (ancient Greek for unusual joint—in reference to extra vertebral joints unique from other mammals) native to South America. Adults typically measure between 21 – 31 in in body length, with an additional 15 – 23 in long prehensile tail, and weigh about 10lbs. The body is covered with coarse, brown to yellowish hair, with a vest-like black marking over the shoulders and torso. The skull is elongated and narrow, with a reduced mandible. Tamanduas are edentulous, lacking teeth entirely. Instead, they possess a long, cylindrical tongue—up to 40 cm in length—that is coated in sticky saliva to trap insects.

You guys guessed it!

Last week post was a honey badger baculum!
Coming soon 😉

Can anyone guess what this is? New product loading….

Looking for a last minute gift idea for the primatology enthusiast in your life? Check out these items.

BC-353 Aye-aye skull
Perhaps one of the most unusual primates, the aye-aye is found on the island of Madagascar. About the size of a house cat, it has very large ears, a reduction in teeth with rodent-like incisors, and a specialized middle finger used to detect prey.

BC-207Chimpanzee Infant Skull
This chimpanzee infant skull is from an individual with an age of 11 to 12 months.

BC-017 Mantled Howler Monkey Skull
This skull is from a male howler monkey, a large platyrrhine (flat-nosed) New World simian with a strong prehensile tail.

BC-084 Hanuman Langur Skull
Found on the Indian subcontinent, the hanuman langur is also known as the gray langur.

Need a gift for the fossil/paleontology enthusiast in our life? Check out some of the Bone Clones staff favorites!

CN-01 Tyrannosaurus rex Skull 1:9 scale – This scale replica of the famous “Stan” T. rex beautifully showcases the cranial bones of this famous fossil.

KO-008 7 1/8 inch Megalodon Tooth - This tooth is considered by many to be the largest Megalodon tooth ever found and documented, measuring 7 1/8 inch. The Megalodon shark became extinct at the end of the Pliocene Era, 1.5 million years ago.

BC-018T Sabertooth Cat - One of the finest specimens of a Smilodon fatalis (saber-toothed cat) from the world famous La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles.

KO-001 Whorl Tooth Shark Teeth in Matrix - Until recently, very little was known about the unusual specimen called the whorl tooth shark (Helicoprion) except that the front teeth grew in a spiral containing up to 180 teeth.

KO-037 Allosaurus Claw - Allosaurus is believed to be the Jurassic precursor to the Cretaceous Tyrannosaurus, and is the largest and most common carnivore found in the large Morrison Formation in the Western United States

KO-157-S Giant Ground Sloth Claw on Display Stand - Giant sloths, which weighed up to 6,000 pounds, had very large, dangerous-looking claws. Despite their size, they were probably only used to strip leaves or bark from plants.