Just in: another strange carcass found on a beach; this time in Gisbourne, North Island, New Zealand.It was found a day or so back by bloggo correspondent and doyen of NZ Cryptozoology, Tony Lucas.
You must admit that it looks considerably freakier than the Montauk Monster, with a weird ratlike tail and a fleshy protuberant nose.
In our opinion it is no placental mammal known to science.
This time it certainly ain't a dead racoon that had been given a Viking Burial by a bunch of stoned surfers. It was, by the way "about the size of a fox terrier" says Tony.
Watch this space. More later....
Brush-tailed possum-- an introduced species that looks like a cross between a raccoon and a Virginia opossum.
ReplyDeleteIt was introduced to New Zealand from Australia.
The toes give it away.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.australianfauna.com/brushtailpossum.php
I think the skull might be a match, but I'd like to see the teeth.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.azdrybones.com/images/BrushTailPossum.jpg
Also, we can tell whether it is placental or not, if it is turned over. Male marsupials have distinctive characteristics from placentals, and females have a pouch.
I know this because I have some experience with our native marsupial. In fact, I thought that's what it was until I read it was from NZ.
I agree with Retriever, here are some good pics of the feet,
ReplyDeletehttp://www.wildlifewa.com/tracks/possumtracks.html
It's the two big toes on the hind feet and the large gap between toe pad and foot pad that sold me....