Hi Mieke

I somehow totally missed your response.

You are so right in every thing you have said.

Thanks.

 

Karl

 

-----Original Message-----
From: SciArt-L Discussion List-for Natural Science Illustration- [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mieke Roth
Sent: Saturday, September 09, 2006 2:44 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [SPAM] Re: [SCIART] TAN: X Creature
Importance: Low

 

Dear all,

 

Although I am not sure also, I think it is a beluga whale, Delphinapterus leucas. This would be the first animal you think of, since the pictures are from Russia, but I can imagine that the teeth got everyone on the wrong track. The length and the body shape are correct with that of a beluga.

 

For comparison, see: http://www.skullsunlimited.com/cetacea.htm and http://www.skullsunlimited.com/graphics/tq-238-lg.jpg

 

The issue with the teeth was also troublesome for me, until I saw the 8th picture: http://www.englishrussia.com/images/russian_sakhalin_monster/monster8.jpg

It looks as if the teeth are broken somehow. The order of the teeth and the shape of the jaw are as if from a beluga whale.

 

The reason why I think it isn't a hoax is because the total looks natural, even with the large skin like rubble on the top of the skull: Belugas have a large amount of soft tissue on their heads and are famous for skin shedding every year. The skull is definitely a sea mammal skull: the nose is not visible and the shape of the jaw is too "sophisticated" for a reptile. And I can't think of any current herbivore that has a teeth order like a carnivore.

 

Mieke

 

P.S. I love the skeksis!

 

From: SciArt-L Discussion List-for Natural Science Illustration- [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of amanda
Sent: zaterdag 9 september 2006 3:47
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [SCIART] TAN: X Creature

----- Original Message -----

From: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">jeremy swan

To: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]

Sent: Friday, September 08, 2006 3:02 PM

Subject: Re: [SCIART] TAN: X Creature

 

I found out what it is!  I knew this thing looked familiar!

It's a skeksis!

Here's a picture:
http://www.thealmightyguru.com/Reviews/DarkCrystal/Images/Skeksis.jpg

On 9/8/06, Britt Griswold <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

There are some alternate photos (too small) here:
http://www.boingboing.net/ Bottom of the page.

I think the claim of hair is a bit suspect; the
decomposition is advanced. That stringy stuff
could be anything.

It is definitely whale-like. The teeth are either
very worn down or very unusual.

Check this out too:
< http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,20372915-5006003,00.html>

This one is interesting also:
<http://www.gateway2russia.com/st/art_151306.php >

Cryptozoology is soo much fun!

Britt

>Wow Karl,
>At first I thought it was a Sei whale, but the
>tail doesn't look right. Maybe it's a dragon?
>Stoney
>
>Karl Gehrman < [log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>Ok I know this is on topic but I just had to see
>if one of you has any idea what the creature
>pictured at this link is ?
>
>I think there a few skull collectors on the list a maybe a taxidermist.
>
>At first I thought it was a porpoise of some kind.
>But the tail end is all wrong.
>
>But look at those teeth, they look flat like plant eaters!
>
>It does not seem to be fake, but the "hide" could be covering something.
>
>Any ideas?
>
>
><http://englishrussia.com/?p=251> http://englishrussia.com/?p=251
>
>Karl

--
Britt Griswold
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