Zoology: Bones

The majority of Bone Clones® are created by making molds of original bone material. In limited instances, such as when the details of an original are too small to be seen with the naked eye, we employ 3D scanning and printing technology, hand detail the printed version to match the original specimen, and then use it to make our product mold. The minute size of the cave myotis bat skull makes it a challenge to study the delicate cranial structures of this insectivore. Here, we scanned the skull, increased the size of the image 8 times then printed the enlarged skull, allowing for detailed study of the skull, teeth, and unique ear morphology that make bat echolocation (sonar) possible. This skull is also available in its natural size. Please see BC-334 Cave Myotis Bat Skull.

The cave myotis (Myotis velifer) is a medium sized, cave dwelling bat found in the southwestern United States and in Central America. This species hunts pre-dawn and after dusk, using echolocation to precisely locate prey and avoid obstacles. Bats are the only mammals capable of true flight possible because of elongated metacarpals and phalanges connected by the wing membrane. North American bat families can be split into two large groups to aid in the identification of a specimen; those with a complete palate and those without a complete palate. The cave myotis has an incomplete palate – a notch in the front of the skull between the upper canines – which is characteristic of the Vespertilionidae family to which it belongs.
5 ¼" L x 3 ¼" W x 3 ¼" H / 13.3 cn x 8.4 cm x 8.4 cm

2-part skull (separate cranium & jaw)

Oval display base is available on demand.