UW Zoological Museum

UW–College of Letters and Sciences
museum display

CARNIVORE SKULLS

Your cart: 0 item(s), $0.00 View Cart
Folks often come to the UW-Zoological Museum with an unknown specimen they found somewhere in a field, woods or other natural setting. More often than not the specimen is a skull of a carnivorous mammal common to Wisconsin. Because this subject is of particular interest to students of nature, we have prepared posters of each carnivore found in the state, showing the skull, a portrait, map, and information about the animal. The skulls are illustrated life size, and are identified by a collection number.
Wisconsin Felines

Wisconsin Felines

Wisconsin has three wild felines. The Cougar is a very rare, recent immigrant from nearby western states (probably the Dakotas, but nobody knows for sure); the Lynx is a border wanderer from Michigan's Upper Peninsula and is very seldom seen in Northern Wisconsin; the Bobcat is a resident of north and central Wisconsin, although very elusive. All of these cats were once statewide until the arrival of European settlers. These species are also featured on separate posters.
24 x 60 inches
$50.00
Quantity
Wisconsin Canines

Wisconsin Canines

Wisconsin has four wild canines, the Wolf, Coyote, Red Fox and Gray Fox. Coyotes and Foxes are found statewide and are even learning to coexist with people in towns and cities. The Wolf was once extirpated from the state but after successful reintroduction now has a stable population here. These species are also featured on separate posters.
24 x 60 inches
$50.00
Quantity
Mustelids

Mustelids

Mustelids, or animals in the family Mustelidae, are related by their method of reproduction, called delayed implantation. Mating occurs in midsummer but implantation of embryos is suspended until late winter, so that offspring are born in early spring. Wisconsin has eight species of mustelids, including our state animal, the Badger, and the world's smallest carnivore, the Least Weasel.
44 x 38 inches
$50.00
Quantity
Black Bear

Black Bear

This medium-sized Bear, native to North America, will eat almost anything. Prior to the 1950s, Black Bears were shot or trapped at any time of year in unlimited numbers. By 1980 fewer than 5,000 Bears roamed northern Wisconsin. With conservation laws and a quota-permit hunting season, Wisconsin's Black Bear population has rebounded to be about 30,000 animals. Most of the population is in Wisconsin's northern counties.

30 x 24 inches
$25.00
Quantity
Badger

Badger

This ecologically important grassland species is a member of the weasel family (Mustelidae), and shares the family's characteristic short legs, low-set round ears, and dense fur. Badgers have delayed implantation, a family reproductive feature.
18 x 24 inches
$25.00
Quantity
Raccoon

Raccoon

Raccoons can live just about anywhere and will eat anything; they are predisposed to city dwelling and are easily trained to come for handouts. However, such "taming" is discouraged. Raccoons can carry rabies and other diseases and usually don't hesitate to bite.
20 x 20 inches
$25.00
Quantity
Skunk

Skunk

Once considered members of the weasel family (Mustelidae), Skunks are now placed in their own family, the Mephitidae. Skunks are known for their powerful and strong-smelling musk spray and their black-and-white warning coloration. 
20 x 20 inches
$25.00
Quantity
Cougar

Cougar

The Cougar, also known as Puma, Mountain Lion, Panther, Catamount, Painter, Screamer, and a multitude of Native American names, is the world's widest-ranging feline, found historically from the Canadian Yukon through North and South America, especially in mountainous habitats. 
26 x 24 inches
$25.00
Quantity
Lynx

Lynx

Lynx are very rare in Wisconsin, and are found only in our northern forests. Most of these are considered to be visitors from Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
20 x 20 inches
$25.00
Quantity
Bobcat

Bobcat

Wisconsin Bobcats are an uncommon sight even in their northern range, but recently have been seen in central and southern counties. Bobcats have been protected since 1970 and are considered "successfully conserved" in the state. 
20 x 20 inches
$25.00
Quantity
Wolf

Wolf

Also known as the Timber Wolf, this is the largest member of the wild dog family. In 1865 Wisconsin placed a bounty on Wolves; by 1950 less than 50 animals remained. In 1975, Wolves returned to Wisconsin on their own from Minnesota, and were listed as a state endangered species. By 2022 Wisconsin had an estimated population of 972 Wolves.  After impassioned arguments for and against wolf protections, the species has been placed on the federally endangered species list.
24 x 20 inches
$25.00
Quantity
Coyote

Coyote

Coyotes are widespread throughout Wisconsin and, along with Foxes, are increasingly adapting to cities and towns as urbanization encroaches on natural habitats of all wild animals.
20 x 20 inches
$25.00
Quantity
Foxes

Foxes

Red Foxes have become common residents in many Wisconsin cities, often surviving better and longer than in natural habitats due to the abundance of human-supplied food. The little Gray Fox is the smallest canine found in Wisconsin. Its paws have semi-retractable claws, making it our only canid that can climb trees. 
20 x 36 inches
$30.00
Quantity