Bear vs. Cougar

Jeremy · 09-15-2003, 10:43 AM

Anybody know how to tell the difference between a bear and cougar skull? i found one this weekend and was leaning towards cougar when i found it but now i am thinking that it is a bear. If it was a cougar it may be a record because it was pretty good size. I left the skull there but i do have the two big canines from the upper jaw, and can go back and get the skull if i need too. Thanks for the info

Mello-Yello · 09-15-2003, 11:35 PM

It should be pretty obvious just looking at the skull. A cat's skull if very round, and there is little to no nose. A bear has a very pronounced nose structure.

Jeremy · 09-15-2003, 11:45 PM

Its most definately a bear then, it was more oblong than round, probably 2-1 length to width. thanks for the info

D-Backer · 09-16-2003, 12:11 PM

Did you happen to get the measurements side-to-side, front to back? That would let you know how it would score.

Mello-Yello · 09-16-2003, 01:20 PM

Something else to look at...I'm not sure if a cat is like this, but on a bear, there is a significant space behind the canine teeth and the next significant tooth (there's a little tooth there, but can't remember what it's called). This space allows the bear bite down on a limb and strip entire limbs of berry plants....berries, leaves, everything.

I've tried this, but lacking the space between my teeth, I just get a pile of leaves and berry juice on my face.... :grin:

Jeremy · 09-17-2003, 08:05 AM

I sent some pictures and measurements of the teeth to a taxidermist and he gurantees that its a black bear. I am going to grab it on sunday to see what it scores. Has anybody else ever found a bear skull in the woods. Just curious how commen they are to find, i heard they dont show up too often.