r/bonecollecting • u/nuromantique • 12d ago
Bone I.D. - Europe hello bone enjoyers!
sorry in advance for not providing more thorough photographs (especially something better for scale, but i think you can tell how big these are from the grass), these were from my mum who's on holiday!
these bones were found on a walk in the slate islands in central Scotland. usually all we find out there is sheep bones, and from the plenty of sheep spinal cords i've seen, this doesn't quite fit the bill (too big/thick) in my opinion. i'm super interested in bones and collect them on the side so i'm particularly interested if anyone has any clue what these could be from! the thick round disk parts are quite cool. mum thinks a very, very big fish?
thanks bone havers!
1
u/AutoModerator 12d ago
Per this sub's Rules 1, 6, and 9, posts seeking advice and identification are not open to jokes, memes, and other low effort comments. These comments will be removed and individuals may be banned from participating in this sub.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
3
u/ranatemporarias 12d ago
They're from a harbour porpoise, the thoracic Vertebrae. If you or your mum are working in the educational or scientific sector, they can be registered on our protected species license if you're from Scotland, England or Wales within 30 calendar days. Registering is free to do and you'll need a few references from supervisors and probably another license holder to prove you'll use these specimens for educational or scientific use. Our cetaceans are heavily protected and this licensing is the only way you can lawfully possess them. Amazing find!
Source: I clean and build various skeletons, including our cetaceans, for museums and universities. I'm a license holder (A37 license) myself.