Skull comparisons

Currently, this page is under development, as we are actively imaging skulls. If you are in Kansas, check out What's this Skull?

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Soricidae (shrews)

The skull is recognized by an elongated rostrum; lack of zygomata (or zygomatic arches); first incisor enlarged; tympanic bone is a simple ring; and lack of auditory bullae (Hoffmeister, 1986). In the United States, all of our soricids are in the subfamily Soricinae, the red-toothed shrews. As the common name for the subfamily implies, all species of Blarina, Cryptotis, Notiosorex and Sorex have red-tipped teeth.

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  Top (dorsal) view of a Sorex skull showing the location of the missing zygomata. All soricids lack zygomata.

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  Tympanic rings (bones) on underside (ventral side) of the skull of Sorex monticola, which are characteristic of members of the family Soricidae

Blarina

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  Dorsal view of the skull of the Northern Short-tailed Shrew (Blarina brevicauda), representing members of the genus Blarina.

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  Lateral view of the skull of the Northern Short-tailed Shrew (Blarina brevicauda), representing members of the genus Blarina. Members of Blarina have a robust skull and coronoid process.

Cryptotis

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  Dorsal view of the skull of the North American Least Shrew (Cryptotis parvus), representing members of the genus Cryptotis.

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  Lateral view of the skull of the North American Least Shrew (Cryptotis parvus).

Notiosorex

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  Dorsal view of the skull of the Desert Gray Shrew (Notiosorex crawfordi), representing members of the genus Notiosorex.

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  Lateral view of the skull of the Desert Gray Shrew (Notiosorex crawfordi), representing members of the genus Notiosorex.

Sorex

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  Lateral view of the skull of the Masked Shrew (Sorex cinereus), representing members of the genus Sorex.

Talpidae (moles)

Condylura

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  Dorsal view of skull of Star-nosed Mole (Condylura cristata). Condylura cristata is also the only living member of the genus Condylura and tribe Condylurini.

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  Lateral view of skull of Star-nosed Mole (Condylura cristata).

Neurotrichus

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  Dorsal view of the skull of the American Shrew Mole (Neurotrichus gibbsii), the only living member of the genus Neurotrichus.

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  Lateral view of the skull of the American Shrew Mole (Neurotrichus gibbsii).

Parascalops

Image needed. Please let us know if you have have an image that you would like to contribute.

Scalopus

Image needed. Please let us know if you have have an image that you would like to contribute.

Scapanus

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  Dorsal view of the skull of a Townsend's Mole (Scapanus townsendii), representing members of the genus Scapanus.

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  Lateral view of the skull of a Townsend's Mole (Scapanus townsendii).

Cricetidae (rats, mice, voles, lemmings)

Alexandromys

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  Skull of the Root Vole (Alexandromys oeconomus) showing large, squared braincase, short rostrum, and wide, robust zygomatic arches.

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  The upper incisors of Alexandromys oeconomus.

Arborimus

Image needed. Please let us know if you have have an image that you would like to contribute.

Baiomys

Image needed. Please let us know if you have have an image that you would like to contribute.

Clethrionomys

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  Skull of the Southern Red-backed Vole (Clethrionomys gapperi) shown, representing the genus Clethrionomys.

Dicrostonyx

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  Skull of a Nearctic Collared Lemming (Dicrostonyx groenlandicus) shown, representing the genus Dicrostonyx.

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  The upper incisors of Dicrostonyx groenlandicus shown. Members of this genus lack grooved upper incisors.

Lemmiscus

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  Skull of the Sagebrush Vole (Lemmiscus curtatus).

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  The upper incisors of the Sagebrush Vole (Lemmiscus curtatus).

Lemmus

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  Skull of the Beringian Brown Lemming (Lemmus nigripes) shown, representing the genus Lemmus.

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  Upper incisors of the Beringian Brown Lemming (Lemmus nigripes) shown, representing the genus Lemmus.

Microtus

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  Skull of the Long-tailed Vole (Microtus longicaudus) shown, representing members of the genus Microtus.

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  Skull of the Long-tailed Vole (Microtus longicaudus) showing the upper incisors, which lack grooves. All members of the genus Microtus have upper incisors that lack grooves.

Mictomys

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  Dorsal view of the skull of the Northern Bog Lemming (Mictomys borealis).

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  Skull of the Northern Bog Lemming (Mictomys borealis), showing grooved upper incisors.

Neotoma

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  Skull of the White-throated Woodrat (Neotoma albigula), representing members of the genus Neotoma.

Ochrotomys

Image(s) coming soon. We are currently imaging this skull.

Onychomys

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  Skull of the Northern Grasshopper Mouse (Onychomys leucogaster), representing members of the genus Onychomys.

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  Upper incisors of the Northern Grasshopper Mouse (Onychomys leucogaster). Members of the genus Onychomys have smooth upper incisors.

Oryzomys

Image needed. Please let us know if you have have an image that you would like to contribute.

Peromyscus

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  Skull of the Brush Deermouse (Peromyscus boylii) shown, representing members of the genus Peromyscus.

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  Skull of the Brush Deermouse (Peromyscus boylii) showing incisors that lack grooves. All Peromyscus lack grooved upper incisors.

Phenacomys

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  Dorsal view of the skull of Phenacomys intermedius.

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  The upper incisors of Phenacomys intermedius lack grooves.

Podomys

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  Dorsal view of the skull of Podomys floridanus.

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  Upper incisors of the skull of Podomys floridanus.

Reithrodontomys

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  Skull of the Fulvous Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys fulvescens) shown, representing members of the genus Reithrodontomys.

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  Skull of the Fulvous Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys fulvescens) showing grooved upper incisors, which is characteristic of the genus.

Sigmodon

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  Skull of the Hispid Cotton Rat (Sigmodon hispidus), representing members of the genus Sigmodon.

Synaptomys

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  Dorsal view of the skull of the Southern Bog Lemming (Synaptomys cooperi).

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  Skull of the Southern Bog Lemming (Synaptomys cooperi), showing grooved upper incisors,

Muridae

Mus musculus

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  Skull of Mus musculus.

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  Upper incisors of Mus musculus lack grooves.

Heteromyidae

Chaetodipus

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  Skull of the Desert Pocket Mouse (Chaetodipus penicillatus) shown, representing members of the genus Chaetodipus.

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  Skull of the Desert Pocket Mouse (Chaetodipus penicillatus) showing the grooved upper incisors. All members of the genus Chaetodipus have grooved upper incisors.

Dipodomys

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  Skull of the Ord's Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys ordii) shown, representing members of the genus Dipodomys.

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  Skull of the Ord's Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys ordii) showing the grooved upper incisors. Members of the genus Dipodomys have grooved upper incisors.

Microdipodops

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  Skull of the Pallid Kangaroo Mouse (Microdipodops pallidus). Members of the genus Microdipodops have auditory bullae that are inflated so much so as to completely obscure the interparietal.

Perognathus

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  Skull of the Silky Pocket Mouse (Perognathus flavus) shown, representing members of the genus Perognathus.

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  Skull of Perognathus flavus showing grooved upper incisors. All members of the genus Perognathus have grooved upper incisors.

Zapodidae

Members of Zapodidae have grooved upper incisors. Napaeozapus have 3 cheekteeth (molariform teeth); Zapus have four molariform teeth.

Napaeozapus

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  Dorsal view of the skull of the Western Woodland Jumping Mouse (Napaeozapus abietorum), representing members of the genus Napaeozapus.

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  Upper incisors of the Western Woodland Jumping Mouse (Napaeozapus abietorum), representing members of the genus Napaeozapus. All members of Napaeozapus have grooved upper incisors.

Zapus

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  Dorsal view of the skull of the Southwestern Jumping Mouse (Zapus princeps), representing members of the genus Zapus.

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  Grooved upper incisors of Southwestern Jumping Mouse (Zapus princeps), representing members of the genus Zapus.