Help me ID this animal

Zax63 · 1st November 2009, 05:54 PM

Does anyone know what animal is in the picture? Sorry about the quality. I've been curious about this for 20 years or more. I'm hoping one of you brilliant people has the answer.

This was in the Small Mammal House at the Philadelphia Zoo around 20-25 years ago. To the best of my recollection the lighting was very dim, the enclosure was a kind of a dry, sandy, rocky terrain. There was some kind of den or burrow made of fake rock like material with a window so people could look in at it when it was inside. I hear a noise, look up and on top of the den structure is this thing. I think it was about the size of a small dog. It may be hard to tell but it was kind of hunched over, holding whatever it was eating in it's from paws. I'm pretty sure it was not supposed to be there as if it jumped off towards the camera it would have been out of the enclosure and in the middle of the hallway. Obviously we looked for a sign but couldn't spot one. To be honest I'm not even sure if the animal belonged in that display.

See, it is possible to take a crappy picture of a real animal, so maybe the bigfoot people are onto something.

Dymanic · 1st November 2009, 05:56 PM

http://images.google.com/images?sour...ed=0CBIQsAQwAA

John Jones · 1st November 2009, 05:57 PM

Tasmanian Devil?

dropzone · 1st November 2009, 06:00 PM

Sloth bear. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sloth_Bear

What do I win?

DogB · 1st November 2009, 06:19 PM

I just spent ten minutes trying to enhance the photo to get a clearer image with very little luck. there's just not enough data to work with. If you have the negative you could get it properly scanned and maybe you might be able to get a decent image.

Otherwise my thumbsuck guess is some sort of possum.

Alan · 1st November 2009, 06:41 PM

I also think it's most likely a possum.

Most other people think it's marsupial-y too.

Lucian · 1st November 2009, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by DogB

I just spent ten minutes trying to enhance the photo to get a clearer image with very little luck. there's just not enough data to work with. If you have the negative you could get it properly scanned and maybe you might be able to get a decent image.

Otherwise my thumbsuck guess is some sort of possum.

http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting...e31a0a8b32.jpg

This looks right to me. Dark as the pictures in the OP are, the animal does appear to have a pink nose (or at least a nose that is a lighter color than the rest of the animal).

I have to say, though, this is much cuter than any actual possum I've seen in real life.

DogB · 1st November 2009, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by Lucian

I have to say, though, this is much cuter than any actual possum I've seen in real life.

Really? That's a common brush tail and I find them all almost irresistably cute.

Zax63 · 1st November 2009, 07:22 PM

Thanks everyone. I could see the Tasmanian Devil but I like the possum idea better. DogB's picture looks pretty close on the nose and the ears are similar also. I agree on the cuteness. This is what I think of when I think possum. I've only seen them as roadkill unfortunately.

Sorry, dropzone, I've seen sloth bears at the zoo and this would have to be a very small cub. I would think it would be in the nursery or with the other bears.

Lucian · 1st November 2009, 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by DogB

Really? That's a common brush tail and I find them all almost irresistably cute.

I'm thinking we may be from different continents.

Lucian · 1st November 2009, 07:45 PM

Originally Posted by Zax63

Thanks everyone. I could see the Tasmanian Devil but I like the possum idea better. DogB's picture looks pretty close on the nose and the ears are similar also. I agree on the cuteness. This is what I think of when I think possum. I've only seen them as roadkill unfortunately.

Sorry, dropzone, I've seen sloth bears at the zoo and this would have to be a very small cub. I would think it would be in the nursery or with the other bears.

That's the kind of possum I've seen as well. I've also seen them mostly as roadkill, but I have seen a few live ones--kind of like big rats that have a place to put their keys (or babies).

taiyo · 1st November 2009, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by DogB

I just spent ten minutes trying to enhance the photo to get a clearer image with very little luck. there's just not enough data to work with. If you have the negative you could get it properly scanned and maybe you might be able to get a decent image.

This was my attempt but I'm not sure it adds much!

shemp · 1st November 2009, 08:49 PM

Obviously, it's a Bigfoot.

DogB · 1st November 2009, 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by Lucian

I'm thinking we may be from different continents.

Opossum vs possum. confusing huh?

And yes, thanks to Zax63's picture, I see what you mean. That's a nasty looking piece of work.

skeptigirl · 1st November 2009, 09:15 PM

Originally Posted by John Jones

Tasmanian Devil?

Yep.

skeptigirl · 1st November 2009, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by dropzone

Sloth bear. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sloth_Bear

What do I win?

Nothing, you are wrong. The nose is all wrong as is the size.

skeptigirl · 1st November 2009, 09:18 PM

Tasi Devil

Other clues:

Quote:

Small Mammal House at the Philadelphia Zoo... lighting was very dim, the enclosure was a kind of a dry, sandy, rocky terrain. ... some kind of den or burrow made of fake rock ... about the size of a small dog.

National Geo Page

Quote:

...reaching 30 inches (76 centimeters) in length and weighing up to 26 pounds (12 kilograms), although its size will vary widely depending on its specific range and the availability of food. Its oversize head houses sharp teeth and strong, muscular jaws...Devils are solitary and nocturnal, spending their days alone in hollow logs, caves, or burrows, and emerging at night to feed.

DogB · 1st November 2009, 09:27 PM

I'm somewhat sure it's not a Tasmanian Devil. The nose is the wrong colour, the face profile is wrong and, while I’m not ruling it out, I’ve never seen a TD adopt that particular pose.

On the other hand that pose is quite common for possums.

DogB · 1st November 2009, 09:30 PM

I should say I'm far from convinced it's a possum as well. I don't think the photo is nearly good enough to get a definitive ID.

Lucian · 1st November 2009, 09:43 PM

Originally Posted by DogB

Opossum vs possum. confusing huh?

Well, perhaps, but in the US, opossums are commonly called "possums." By the way, why did you get all the cute marsupials? It just doesn't seem fair. One butt-ugly marsupial in all the world and it gets plopped down in the United States.

skeptigirl · 1st November 2009, 10:02 PM

Your possum has too much light colored chest and belly hair. And I don't agree on the facial shape. I'll give you the Tasi nose color though.

But that could be reflection rather than true color.

I'm still convinced it's a devil. Too bad it doesn't have the male chest stripe. That's pretty distinctive for a devil.

DogB · 1st November 2009, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by Lucian

Well, perhaps, but in the US, opossums are commonly called "possums."

Sure, I understand. That comment wasn't meant to be snide, sorry if it came across that way.

Originally Posted by Lucian

By the way, why did you get all the cute marsupials? It just doesn't seem fair. One butt-ugly marsupial in all the world and it gets plopped down in the United States.

Oh I don’t know. To me the opossum just looks like a small quoll. You take the wrong photo of a quoll and it looks a little nasty.

But they can be cute also.

DogB · 1st November 2009, 10:20 PM

Originally Posted by skeptigirl

Your possum has too much light colored chest and belly hair.

I’ve seen them nearly totally black and nearly totally white. They do tend to be lighter on the belly but that’s a pretty dark photograph

Originally Posted by skeptigirl

And I don't agree on the facial shape.

Fair enough

Originally Posted by skeptigirl

I'll give you the Tasi nose color though.

But that could be reflection rather than true color.

I considered a diffuse reflection and rejected it due to lack of ambient light – but I’ll admit the possibility.

Originally Posted by skeptigirl

I'm still convinced it's a devil. Too bad it doesn't have the male chest stripe. That's pretty distinctive for a devil.

Put it this way. I used to do mammal surveys for a living. If I saw that shape in my spotlight I’d call ‘brushy’ and move on. That said, devils don’t climb and most brushtails are spotted in trees so normally it’s challenging to mix them up.

Personally I think it’s quite probable that we’re both very wrong.

Lucian · 1st November 2009, 10:35 PM

Originally Posted by DogB

Sure, I understand. That comment wasn't meant to be snide, sorry if it came across that way.

I didn't take it as snide; I was just clarifying.

Originally Posted by DogB

Oh I don’t know. To me the opossum just looks like a small quoll. You take the wrong photo of a quoll and it looks a little nasty.

http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting...e68343bd5f.jpg

But they can be cute also.

http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting...e68344e4ab.jpg

Nope, opossums are never that appealing, and, hey, where are our koalas and wallabys?

DogB · 1st November 2009, 10:41 PM

Originally Posted by Lucian

...where are our koalas and wallabys?

Bigfoot ate 'em.

Lucian · 1st November 2009, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by DogB

Bigfoot ate 'em.

It all makes sense now!

skeptigirl · 1st November 2009, 10:53 PM

Originally Posted by DogB

.... That said, devils don’t climb and most brushtails are spotted in trees so normally it’s challenging to mix them up.

I don't think it's exactly climbing just being on top of the rock house structure. It isn't in a tree or anything.

Originally Posted by DogB

...Personally I think it’s quite probable that we’re both very wrong.

No way. I'm almost never wrong.

skeptigirl · 1st November 2009, 10:56 PM

Check out the ears of a Devil. They match the image quite well. Only some of the possum species ears are close to the same.

DogB · 1st November 2009, 11:23 PM

Originally Posted by skeptigirl

I don't think it's exactly climbing just being on top of the rock house structure. It isn't in a tree or anything.

No. I just meant that it’s a diagnostic in the wild. See a shape in a tree and it ain’t a TD. No implications for our mystery beast.

Originally Posted by skeptigirl

No way. I'm almost never wrong.

I’ll keep that in mind.

Originally Posted by skeptigirl

Check out the ears of a Devil. They match the image quite well. Only some of the possum species ears are close to the same.

Ya think? I think they’re closer to the possum than to the TD. Which is probably a good indication of the quality of the photograph.

Tell you what. Find me an image of a TD in the same pose as the mystery beast and I’ll concede. I’m not even sure that a devil can bend like that.

This is the closest I can find.

A.A.Alfie · 1st November 2009, 11:41 PM

Firstly - it sure is not a Tassie Devil

Devils do not hold their food daintily in their front paws. They gnaw and chew and growl and snarl and yip and cry when they eat. If you saw a devil eating you would know it. They're really noisy.

It's possibly a possum or similar.
It might also bee a small wallaby or the like.

I like possum

Eyeron · 2nd November 2009, 12:02 AM

Werekoala.

A.A.Alfie · 2nd November 2009, 12:17 AM

Either that or a drop bear

arthwollipot · 2nd November 2009, 12:20 AM

Originally Posted by A.A.Alfie

Devils do not hold their food daintily in their front paws. They gnaw and chew and growl and snarl and yip and cry when they eat. If you saw a devil eating you would know it. They're really noisy.

Having witnessed this the last time I was in Tasmania, it is true. Devils are the exact opposite of dainty.

EHocking · 2nd November 2009, 06:43 AM

Not a TD the head is not massive enough, very likely to be a Common Brush-tailed Possum. Having seen a few in my life it's the very first thing that sprung to mind. Colouring, head and body proportions and pose is typical Possum. Most unlikely to be a Ring-tailed Possum as the colouring is not typical. It's a pretty poor image, but I have a high degree of confidence. Any chance of a better scan, or was this a digital photo and that's the best resolution we'll get?

Here's a head on shot with the beasty in a similar pose (and colouring) as the OPs photo.

Zax63 · 2nd November 2009, 06:53 AM

No sign of the negative as yet but I found the original photo. It's just as dark but I'll try to take a better scan when I get to work in a few hours. The photo is dated 11-11-1980.

The real problem I have with the Tasmanian Devil is that I don't recall one being shown at our zoo. With the cartoon tie-in(remember it's 29 years ago) I think it would be a pretty big attraction. When we had a koala on loan it was big news and there was a huge line to get to see it. Still, I'm not up on every zoo event and since there was no signage it may have been in some kind of holding or quarantine prior to being displayed.

Originally Posted by A.A.Alfie

Firstly - it sure is not a Tassie Devil

Devils do not hold their food daintily in their front paws. They gnaw and chew and growl and snarl and yip and cry when they eat. If you saw a devil eating you would know it. They're really noisy.

I have seen Devils eating on nature programs so I know what you are talking about but that has always been tearing at a carcass of something. Is it possible it could act this way given a lump of food? I don't know.

I wish my memory of the event were better. I did say that noise attracted me to look up at it. I remember we(my sister & I) were laughing about it but now I can't recall if it was because it looked like it could jump on us or because it was making weird noises or both. I'll check with my sister but I doubt she will even remember it.

icerat · 2nd November 2009, 07:05 AM

Good chance it's some sort of possum, definitely not a devil.

Seen both often. There's also a chance it's a variety of tree kangaroo but the nose doesn't look right

Tanja · 2nd November 2009, 08:05 AM

I have no idea what the animal is (I can just about narrow it down to "some kind of new world creature"), but have you considered or tried e-mailing the zoo an asking them? I would think they would be happy to reply to such a query.

Zax63 · 2nd November 2009, 08:52 AM

Here is a new scan, not much better I'm afraid.

And my own attempt to enhance it.

EHocking - I like the Common Brush-tailed Possum as a candidate. The picture you provided in that pose really sells it.

Tanja - good idea. I suspect after 29 years they will only be able to guess but their guesses will probably be better than ours.

ETA: I wrote to the zoo but they say the questions go to "Ask an Expert service provided by the Docent Council". I'm not sure that is even affiliated with my zoo. I'll see what kind of response I get before pursuing it any farther.

jasonpatterson · 2nd November 2009, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by Lucian

Well, perhaps, but in the US, opossums are commonly called "possums." By the way, why did you get all the cute marsupials? It just doesn't seem fair. One butt-ugly marsupial in all the world and it gets plopped down in the United States.

I've seen opossum, possum, and even apossum. These things are the only marsupials that were able to make inroads from South America when the Americas joined. They are still very poorly adapted to most of the continent, but they are pretty adaptable critters, and have spread a lot. (Older individuals usually are missing some of their toes and the tips of their tails due to frostbite, for instance.) They can be not quite horrible sometimes, especially the babies, but usually they just look like giant rats. Perhaps their horribleness has helped them.

skeptigirl · 2nd November 2009, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by icerat

Good chance it's some sort of possum, definitely not a devil.

http://www.bushheritage.org.au/newsl...ackpossum2.jpg

Seen both often. There's also a chance it's a variety of tree kangaroo but the nose doesn't look right

http://www.vulkaner.no/n/austral/tree_kangaroo_01t.jpg

Well I would not say "definitively" not a devil but I will say your top image is the closest match on the page.

1st November 2009, 05:54 PM	#1
Zax63 Muse Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 512	Help me ID this animal Does anyone know what animal is in the picture? Sorry about the quality. I've been curious about this for 20 years or more. I'm hoping one of you brilliant people has the answer. This was in the Small Mammal House at the Philadelphia Zoo around 20-25 years ago. To the best of my recollection the lighting was very dim, the enclosure was a kind of a dry, sandy, rocky terrain. There was some kind of den or burrow made of fake rock like material with a window so people could look in at it when it was inside. I hear a noise, look up and on top of the den structure is this thing. I think it was about the size of a small dog. It may be hard to tell but it was kind of hunched over, holding whatever it was eating in it's from paws. I'm pretty sure it was not supposed to be there as if it jumped off towards the camera it would have been out of the enclosure and in the middle of the hallway. Obviously we looked for a sign but couldn't spot one. To be honest I'm not even sure if the animal belonged in that display. See, it is possible to take a crappy picture of a real animal, so maybe the bigfoot people are onto something.

1st November 2009, 05:56 PM	#2
Dymanic Master Poster Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 2,770	http://images.google.com/images?sour...ed=0CBIQsAQwAA
Dymanic Master Poster Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 2,770	__________________ It goes without saying that...

1st November 2009, 05:57 PM	#3
John Jones Thinker Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 125	Tasmanian Devil?
John Jones Thinker Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 125

1st November 2009, 06:00 PM	#4
dropzone Muse Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 518	Sloth bear. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sloth_Bear What do I win?
dropzone Muse Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 518

1st November 2009, 06:19 PM	#5
DogB Muse Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 889	I just spent ten minutes trying to enhance the photo to get a clearer image with very little luck. there's just not enough data to work with. If you have the negative you could get it properly scanned and maybe you might be able to get a decent image. Otherwise my thumbsuck guess is some sort of possum.
DogB Muse Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 889	__________________ Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the Moon July 1969, A.D. We came in peace for all mankind. - Apollo 11 plaque left on Moon When science finally locates the center of the universe, some people will be surprised to learn they're not it. - Anonymous

1st November 2009, 06:41 PM	#6
Alan Thinker Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 129	I also think it's most likely a possum. Most other people think it's marsupial-y too.

1st November 2009, 06:57 PM	#7
Lucian Critical Thinker Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 406	Originally Posted by DogB I just spent ten minutes trying to enhance the photo to get a clearer image with very little luck. there's just not enough data to work with. If you have the negative you could get it properly scanned and maybe you might be able to get a decent image. Otherwise my thumbsuck guess is some sort of possum. http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting...e31a0a8b32.jpg This looks right to me. Dark as the pictures in the OP are, the animal does appear to have a pink nose (or at least a nose that is a lighter color than the rest of the animal). I have to say, though, this is much cuter than any actual possum I've seen in real life.
Lucian Critical Thinker Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 406	__________________ …nealles druncne slog heorðgeneatas…

1st November 2009, 07:13 PM	#8
DogB Muse Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 889	Originally Posted by Lucian I have to say, though, this is much cuter than any actual possum I've seen in real life. Really? That's a common brush tail and I find them all almost irresistably cute.
DogB Muse Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 889	__________________ Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the Moon July 1969, A.D. We came in peace for all mankind. - Apollo 11 plaque left on Moon When science finally locates the center of the universe, some people will be surprised to learn they're not it. - Anonymous

1st November 2009, 07:22 PM	#9
Zax63 Muse Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 512	Thanks everyone. I could see the Tasmanian Devil but I like the possum idea better. DogB's picture looks pretty close on the nose and the ears are similar also. I agree on the cuteness. This is what I think of when I think possum. I've only seen them as roadkill unfortunately. Sorry, dropzone, I've seen sloth bears at the zoo and this would have to be a very small cub. I would think it would be in the nursery or with the other bears.

1st November 2009, 07:42 PM	#10
Lucian Critical Thinker Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 406	Originally Posted by DogB Really? That's a common brush tail and I find them all almost irresistably cute. I'm thinking we may be from different continents.
Lucian Critical Thinker Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 406	__________________ …nealles druncne slog heorðgeneatas…

1st November 2009, 07:45 PM	#11
Lucian Critical Thinker Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 406	Originally Posted by Zax63 Thanks everyone. I could see the Tasmanian Devil but I like the possum idea better. DogB's picture looks pretty close on the nose and the ears are similar also. I agree on the cuteness. This is what I think of when I think possum. I've only seen them as roadkill unfortunately. Sorry, dropzone, I've seen sloth bears at the zoo and this would have to be a very small cub. I would think it would be in the nursery or with the other bears. That's the kind of possum I've seen as well. I've also seen them mostly as roadkill, but I have seen a few live ones--kind of like big rats that have a place to put their keys (or babies).
Lucian Critical Thinker Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 406	__________________ …nealles druncne slog heorðgeneatas…

1st November 2009, 08:01 PM	#12
taiyo Student Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: UK Posts: 36	Originally Posted by DogB I just spent ten minutes trying to enhance the photo to get a clearer image with very little luck. there's just not enough data to work with. If you have the negative you could get it properly scanned and maybe you might be able to get a decent image. This was my attempt but I'm not sure it adds much!

1st November 2009, 08:49 PM	#13
shemp Lotus Eater Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: walking down Madison Posts: 10,278	Obviously, it's a Bigfoot.
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1st November 2009, 09:10 PM	#14
DogB Muse Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 889	Originally Posted by Lucian I'm thinking we may be from different continents. Opossum vs possum. confusing huh? And yes, thanks to Zax63's picture, I see what you mean. That's a nasty looking piece of work.
DogB Muse Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 889	__________________ Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the Moon July 1969, A.D. We came in peace for all mankind. - Apollo 11 plaque left on Moon When science finally locates the center of the universe, some people will be surprised to learn they're not it. - Anonymous

1st November 2009, 09:15 PM	#15
skeptigirl Web Surfer Girl Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: headed back to that dark dark house in the dark dark woods Posts: 17,997	Originally Posted by John Jones Tasmanian Devil? Yep.
	__________________ Sk'p' 'el (Tired of continuing to hear the "Democrat Party" repeatedly I've decided to adopt the name, Republic Party, in response.) (*Tired of the current Republican talking point of naming everything after Pelosi, Reid &/or Obama, I've decided to start adding Republican names to their fault fiascos.)

1st November 2009, 09:16 PM	#16
skeptigirl Web Surfer Girl Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: headed back to that dark dark house in the dark dark woods Posts: 17,997	Originally Posted by dropzone Sloth bear. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sloth_Bear What do I win? Nothing, you are wrong. The nose is all wrong as is the size.
	__________________ Sk'p' 'el (Tired of continuing to hear the "Democrat Party" repeatedly I've decided to adopt the name, Republic Party, in response.) (Tired of the current Republican talking point of naming everything after Pelosi, Reid &/or Obama, I've decided to start adding Republican names to their fault fiascos.) Last edited by skeptigirl; 1st November 2009 at 09:24 PM.*

1st November 2009, 09:18 PM	#17
skeptigirl Web Surfer Girl Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: headed back to that dark dark house in the dark dark woods Posts: 17,997	Tasi Devil Other clues: Quote: Small Mammal House at the Philadelphia Zoo... lighting was very dim, the enclosure was a kind of a dry, sandy, rocky terrain. ... some kind of den or burrow made of fake rock ... about the size of a small dog. National Geo Page Quote: ...reaching 30 inches (76 centimeters) in length and weighing up to 26 pounds (12 kilograms), although its size will vary widely depending on its specific range and the availability of food. Its oversize head houses sharp teeth and strong, muscular jaws...Devils are solitary and nocturnal, spending their days alone in hollow logs, caves, or burrows, and emerging at night to feed.
	__________________ Sk'p' 'el (Tired of continuing to hear the "Democrat Party" repeatedly I've decided to adopt the name, Republic Party, in response.) (Tired of the current Republican talking point of naming everything after Pelosi, Reid &/or Obama, I've decided to start adding Republican names to their fault fiascos.) Last edited by skeptigirl; 1st November 2009 at 09:23 PM.*

1st November 2009, 09:27 PM	#18
DogB Muse Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 889	I'm somewhat sure it's not a Tasmanian Devil. The nose is the wrong colour, the face profile is wrong and, while I’m not ruling it out, I’ve never seen a TD adopt that particular pose. On the other hand that pose is quite common for possums.
DogB Muse Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 889	__________________ Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the Moon July 1969, A.D. We came in peace for all mankind. - Apollo 11 plaque left on Moon When science finally locates the center of the universe, some people will be surprised to learn they're not it. - Anonymous

1st November 2009, 09:30 PM	#19
DogB Muse Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 889	I should say I'm far from convinced it's a possum as well. I don't think the photo is nearly good enough to get a definitive ID.
DogB Muse Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 889	__________________ Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the Moon July 1969, A.D. We came in peace for all mankind. - Apollo 11 plaque left on Moon When science finally locates the center of the universe, some people will be surprised to learn they're not it. - Anonymous

1st November 2009, 09:43 PM	#20
Lucian Critical Thinker Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 406	Originally Posted by DogB Opossum vs possum. confusing huh? Well, perhaps, but in the US, opossums are commonly called "possums." By the way, why did you get all the cute marsupials? It just doesn't seem fair. One butt-ugly marsupial in all the world and it gets plopped down in the United States.
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1st November 2009, 10:02 PM	#21
skeptigirl Web Surfer Girl Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: headed back to that dark dark house in the dark dark woods Posts: 17,997	Your possum has too much light colored chest and belly hair. And I don't agree on the facial shape. I'll give you the Tasi nose color though. But that could be reflection rather than true color. I'm still convinced it's a devil. Too bad it doesn't have the male chest stripe. That's pretty distinctive for a devil.
	__________________ Sk'p' 'el (Tired of continuing to hear the "Democrat Party" repeatedly I've decided to adopt the name, Republic Party, in response.) (*Tired of the current Republican talking point of naming everything after Pelosi, Reid &/or Obama, I've decided to start adding Republican names to their fault fiascos.)

1st November 2009, 10:06 PM	#22
DogB Muse Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 889	Originally Posted by Lucian Well, perhaps, but in the US, opossums are commonly called "possums." Sure, I understand. That comment wasn't meant to be snide, sorry if it came across that way. Originally Posted by Lucian By the way, why did you get all the cute marsupials? It just doesn't seem fair. One butt-ugly marsupial in all the world and it gets plopped down in the United States. Oh I don’t know. To me the opossum just looks like a small quoll. You take the wrong photo of a quoll and it looks a little nasty. But they can be cute also.
DogB Muse Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 889	__________________ Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the Moon July 1969, A.D. We came in peace for all mankind. - Apollo 11 plaque left on Moon When science finally locates the center of the universe, some people will be surprised to learn they're not it. - Anonymous

1st November 2009, 10:20 PM	#23
DogB Muse Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 889	Originally Posted by skeptigirl Your possum has too much light colored chest and belly hair. I’ve seen them nearly totally black and nearly totally white. They do tend to be lighter on the belly but that’s a pretty dark photograph Originally Posted by skeptigirl And I don't agree on the facial shape. Fair enough Originally Posted by skeptigirl I'll give you the Tasi nose color though. But that could be reflection rather than true color. I considered a diffuse reflection and rejected it due to lack of ambient light – but I’ll admit the possibility. Originally Posted by skeptigirl I'm still convinced it's a devil. Too bad it doesn't have the male chest stripe. That's pretty distinctive for a devil. Put it this way. I used to do mammal surveys for a living. If I saw that shape in my spotlight I’d call ‘brushy’ and move on. That said, devils don’t climb and most brushtails are spotted in trees so normally it’s challenging to mix them up. Personally I think it’s quite probable that we’re both very wrong.
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1st November 2009, 10:35 PM	#24
Lucian Critical Thinker Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 406	Originally Posted by DogB Sure, I understand. That comment wasn't meant to be snide, sorry if it came across that way. I didn't take it as snide; I was just clarifying. Originally Posted by DogB Oh I don’t know. To me the opossum just looks like a small quoll. You take the wrong photo of a quoll and it looks a little nasty. http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting...e68343bd5f.jpg But they can be cute also. http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting...e68344e4ab.jpg Nope, opossums are never that appealing, and, hey, where are our koalas and wallabys?
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1st November 2009, 10:41 PM	#25
DogB Muse Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 889	Originally Posted by Lucian ...where are our koalas and wallabys? Bigfoot ate 'em.
DogB Muse Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 889	__________________ Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the Moon July 1969, A.D. We came in peace for all mankind. - Apollo 11 plaque left on Moon When science finally locates the center of the universe, some people will be surprised to learn they're not it. - Anonymous

1st November 2009, 10:46 PM	#26
Lucian Critical Thinker Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 406	Originally Posted by DogB Bigfoot ate 'em. It all makes sense now!
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1st November 2009, 10:53 PM	#27
skeptigirl Web Surfer Girl Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: headed back to that dark dark house in the dark dark woods Posts: 17,997	Originally Posted by DogB .... That said, devils don’t climb and most brushtails are spotted in trees so normally it’s challenging to mix them up. I don't think it's exactly climbing just being on top of the rock house structure. It isn't in a tree or anything. Originally Posted by DogB ...Personally I think it’s quite probable that we’re both very wrong. No way. I'm almost never wrong.
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1st November 2009, 10:56 PM	#28
skeptigirl Web Surfer Girl Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: headed back to that dark dark house in the dark dark woods Posts: 17,997	Check out the ears of a Devil. They match the image quite well. Only some of the possum species ears are close to the same.
	__________________ Sk'p' 'el (Tired of continuing to hear the "Democrat Party" repeatedly I've decided to adopt the name, Republic Party, in response.) (*Tired of the current Republican talking point of naming everything after Pelosi, Reid &/or Obama, I've decided to start adding Republican names to their fault fiascos.)

1st November 2009, 11:23 PM	#29
DogB Muse Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 889	Originally Posted by skeptigirl I don't think it's exactly climbing just being on top of the rock house structure. It isn't in a tree or anything. No. I just meant that it’s a diagnostic in the wild. See a shape in a tree and it ain’t a TD. No implications for our mystery beast. Originally Posted by skeptigirl No way. I'm almost never wrong. I’ll keep that in mind. Originally Posted by skeptigirl Check out the ears of a Devil. They match the image quite well. Only some of the possum species ears are close to the same. Ya think? I think they’re closer to the possum than to the TD. Which is probably a good indication of the quality of the photograph. Tell you what. Find me an image of a TD in the same pose as the mystery beast and I’ll concede. I’m not even sure that a devil can bend like that. This is the closest I can find.
DogB Muse Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 889	__________________ Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the Moon July 1969, A.D. We came in peace for all mankind. - Apollo 11 plaque left on Moon When science finally locates the center of the universe, some people will be surprised to learn they're not it. - Anonymous

1st November 2009, 11:41 PM	#30
A.A.Alfie Muse Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 758	Firstly - it sure is not a Tassie Devil Devils do not hold their food daintily in their front paws. They gnaw and chew and growl and snarl and yip and cry when they eat. If you saw a devil eating you would know it. They're really noisy. It's possibly a possum or similar. It might also bee a small wallaby or the like. I like possum
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2nd November 2009, 12:02 AM	#31
Eyeron Muse Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 856	Werekoala.
Eyeron Muse Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 856

2nd November 2009, 12:17 AM	#32
A.A.Alfie Muse Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 758	Either that or a drop bear
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2nd November 2009, 12:20 AM	#33
arthwollipot The Accidental Podcaster Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: On the other side of your screen. Posts: 25,283	Originally Posted by A.A.Alfie Devils do not hold their food daintily in their front paws. They gnaw and chew and growl and snarl and yip and cry when they eat. If you saw a devil eating you would know it. They're really noisy. Having witnessed this the last time I was in Tasmania, it is true. Devils are the exact opposite of dainty.
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2nd November 2009, 06:43 AM	#34
EHocking Master Poster Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,122	Not a TD the head is not massive enough, very likely to be a Common Brush-tailed Possum. Having seen a few in my life it's the very first thing that sprung to mind. Colouring, head and body proportions and pose is typical Possum. Most unlikely to be a Ring-tailed Possum as the colouring is not typical. It's a pretty poor image, but I have a high degree of confidence. Any chance of a better scan, or was this a digital photo and that's the best resolution we'll get? Here's a head on shot with the beasty in a similar pose (and colouring) as the OPs photo.
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2nd November 2009, 06:53 AM	#35
Zax63 Muse Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 512	No sign of the negative as yet but I found the original photo. It's just as dark but I'll try to take a better scan when I get to work in a few hours. The photo is dated 11-11-1980. The real problem I have with the Tasmanian Devil is that I don't recall one being shown at our zoo. With the cartoon tie-in(remember it's 29 years ago) I think it would be a pretty big attraction. When we had a koala on loan it was big news and there was a huge line to get to see it. Still, I'm not up on every zoo event and since there was no signage it may have been in some kind of holding or quarantine prior to being displayed. Originally Posted by A.A.Alfie Firstly - it sure is not a Tassie Devil Devils do not hold their food daintily in their front paws. They gnaw and chew and growl and snarl and yip and cry when they eat. If you saw a devil eating you would know it. They're really noisy. I have seen Devils eating on nature programs so I know what you are talking about but that has always been tearing at a carcass of something. Is it possible it could act this way given a lump of food? I don't know. I wish my memory of the event were better. I did say that noise attracted me to look up at it. I remember we(my sister & I) were laughing about it but now I can't recall if it was because it looked like it could jump on us or because it was making weird noises or both. I'll check with my sister but I doubt she will even remember it.