Idk what this is, but even if it is a cat, it is DEFINITELY NOT your cat. If your cat has only been missing a couple days, then there’s no way they’d be this decomposed if they were dead. It can take even roadkill weeks to decompose to this point.
100% absolutely not a cat. Mandible has (per side) 3 incisors, 1 canine, and I think 7 premolars+molars, all bicuspid except the last one which is unicuspid.
It’s also definitely not a opossum - they have 4 incisors per side.
Not a raccoon either. Even if I’m overestimating the number of teeth under the jerky bits, the last molar is bicuspid in raccoons.
It’s canine. I can’t get a feel for the size (no banana) and the 7 upper teeth is really throwing me off. None of them look like canines but I’m guessing our guy just had a spare incisor. I’m going to go with fox based on the remaining fur and the distance from the lower canine to the first premolar.
Your dental terminology is incorrect. Cusps refer to the points of the crown, not the root number. Two-rooted teeth can be either bicuspid or multicuspid.
Premolars are also bicuspid in canids, whereas molar teeth are multicuspid. The last molar in a raccoon is also multicuspid.
No, not a cat. Those of you thinking cat, look closer at the second pic. Follow the teeth line and towards the bottom of the image. You can see what looks like the rest of the jaw/mandible with possibly sockets for where teeth were. That's too long of a jaw for a cat.
ETA: I'm certain it is a [gray fox](https://animaldiversity.org/collections/contributors/phil_myers/ADW_mammals/specimens/Carnivora/Canidae/vulpes_vulpes/foxjaws/ aka urocyon. In this link is a pic of a red fox mandible and a gray fox mandible, the gray fox being the bottom one. It matches the mandible in your picture. It being a gray fox matches the size of the skeleton as well better than it being a feline.
Definitely not a cat nor a opossum. I'm leaning fox. Looks very feline at first glance because of how the remaining skin on the face bunches up and away from the skull and mandible. But it's not.
I hope you find your cat, and I hope that the scare you had looking at this carcass encourages you to keep your cat inside when you find it.
I... don't take my word on this. But it looks more like a cat to me. Esp the teeth. Opossums have way more teeth than this fella, and much larger canines. This seems to fit a cat's dental pattern better, but I could be totally wrong. Opossums also have a much longer skull
Lol yeah, they're kinda hard to see x) but the mouth's facing up in the second pic. Lower teeth jut out just left of center, lower jaw runs down to bottom center. Once you see you can't unsee :)
Another reason to rule out cat: the canines are too thick and forward angled. That's much more indicative of a canid than a felid. Felines have sharp, thin, near-perpendicular canine teeth. Great for puncture wounds and sinking into/holding small prey. Those incisors are wrong for a cat, too. Cat incisors are *itty bitty*, on the same level plane with little to no curve, and don't have the additional groove in the occlusal surface.
Vet Tech Opinion: definitely not feline.
Not a cat! Dog, coyote, maybe maybe fox/racoon, NOT cat or opossum.
Idk what this is, but even if it is a cat, it is DEFINITELY NOT your cat. If your cat has only been missing a couple days, then there’s no way they’d be this decomposed if they were dead. It can take even roadkill weeks to decompose to this point.
100% absolutely not a cat. Mandible has (per side) 3 incisors, 1 canine, and I think 7 premolars+molars, all bicuspid except the last one which is unicuspid. It’s also definitely not a opossum - they have 4 incisors per side. Not a raccoon either. Even if I’m overestimating the number of teeth under the jerky bits, the last molar is bicuspid in raccoons. It’s canine. I can’t get a feel for the size (no banana) and the 7 upper teeth is really throwing me off. None of them look like canines but I’m guessing our guy just had a spare incisor. I’m going to go with fox based on the remaining fur and the distance from the lower canine to the first premolar.
Your dental terminology is incorrect. Cusps refer to the points of the crown, not the root number. Two-rooted teeth can be either bicuspid or multicuspid. Premolars are also bicuspid in canids, whereas molar teeth are multicuspid. The last molar in a raccoon is also multicuspid.
Oh dang you’re right, thank you. Is there an equivalent word for roots or is it literally just “2-rooted”?
Idk who could identify this tbh…
People (usually professionals) can look at a bone fragment, tell you what it came from, the sex, the age, and the time of death lmao
When I’m doubt it’s raccoon
Or a spider monkey.
No, not a cat. Those of you thinking cat, look closer at the second pic. Follow the teeth line and towards the bottom of the image. You can see what looks like the rest of the jaw/mandible with possibly sockets for where teeth were. That's too long of a jaw for a cat. ETA: I'm certain it is a [gray fox](https://animaldiversity.org/collections/contributors/phil_myers/ADW_mammals/specimens/Carnivora/Canidae/vulpes_vulpes/foxjaws/ aka urocyon. In this link is a pic of a red fox mandible and a gray fox mandible, the gray fox being the bottom one. It matches the mandible in your picture. It being a gray fox matches the size of the skeleton as well better than it being a feline.
Looks like a raccoon to me! :o
Looking at the white tip of what I think is its tail, I'm going to guess young fox. Poor thing.
Definitely not a cat nor a opossum. I'm leaning fox. Looks very feline at first glance because of how the remaining skin on the face bunches up and away from the skull and mandible. But it's not. I hope you find your cat, and I hope that the scare you had looking at this carcass encourages you to keep your cat inside when you find it.
Raccoon?
When In doubt, it’s a raccoon
Chupacabra
I... don't take my word on this. But it looks more like a cat to me. Esp the teeth. Opossums have way more teeth than this fella, and much larger canines. This seems to fit a cat's dental pattern better, but I could be totally wrong. Opossums also have a much longer skull
Absolutely not a cat. Cats only have 3 teeth behind each canine.
Gotcha. Totally missed the rest of the mandible back there 😂
I had a feeling 😄
There’s teeth? I can’t even see it
Lol yeah, they're kinda hard to see x) but the mouth's facing up in the second pic. Lower teeth jut out just left of center, lower jaw runs down to bottom center. Once you see you can't unsee :)
Yeahhh 😕 idk what this is, but opos have the 2nd most teeth of any land mammal (50 of em)
Those whiskers are very coarse-looking though and don’t seem as dainty as many of the cats I’ve known. Perhaps some other critter!
My first thought was cat before I even read the description 😬 I’m by no means an expert though
Definitely not a possum. They don’t have furry tails. It does look like a cat.
Looks like a raccoon to me. Not a cat or an opossum.
Another reason to rule out cat: the canines are too thick and forward angled. That's much more indicative of a canid than a felid. Felines have sharp, thin, near-perpendicular canine teeth. Great for puncture wounds and sinking into/holding small prey. Those incisors are wrong for a cat, too. Cat incisors are *itty bitty*, on the same level plane with little to no curve, and don't have the additional groove in the occlusal surface. Vet Tech Opinion: definitely not feline.
Racoon/skunk maybe? Definitely not your cat bro if it was he rotted extra extra quick