Mrs. Ples STS 5 Skull Replica

Caluromys sp., The woolly opossum, smaller than its North American relative, is an arboreal species dwelling in forests throughout Central and South America. They are omnivorous and will eat fruits, berries, insects, small vertebrates and carrion. This solitary species makes its home in hollowed trees and is said to use its prehensile tail to carry foliage for bedding. Once heavily trapped for its fur, the woolly possum is now of little economic importance. *

Specifications: CLASS: Mammalia ORDER: Marsupialia: Didelphimorphia FAMILY: Didelphidae Origin: Central and South America.

*Skull Length: 5.5 cm (2.2 in)

Thylacinus cynocephalus., Now extinct, the Tasmanian wolf, also called the Tasmanian tiger, was once hunted as a pest throughout Tasmania and in parts of Australia. The last known wild specimen was shot in 1930. The last captive specimen died in 1936. Although the thylacine, a marsupial, is not a true wolf, it occupied much of the same predatory niche as modern wolves. When compared with the wolf, this species is an excellent example of convergent evolution. Other Names: "Tasmanian Tiger"

*Specifications: CLASS: Mammalia ORDER: Marsupialia: Dasyuromorphia FAMILY: Thylacinidae Origin: Tasmania

*Skull Length: 22 cm (8.7 in)

The first Australopithecus boisei specimen, originally named Zinjanthropus boisei, was discovered in 1959 by Mary Leaky at the Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania, Africa. A. boisei skulls have been found in Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Kenya.

* Skull Length: 22.5 cm (8.9 in)

KNM ER 1813 - This small, but very complete skull was found at Koobi Fora, Kenya, in 1973 by Kamoya Kimeu. It dates back to 1.9 MYA and is considered an early member of the Homo genus. It's minute brain capacity, however, leads many to place it within the Australopithecus group.

*Specifications: CLASS: Fossil Hominids ORDER: Fossil Hominids FAMILY: Fossil Hominidae Origin: Koobi Fora, Lake Turkana, Kenya 2.3 - 1.6 mya

*Skull Length: 19 cm (7.5 in)