Although last week I hinted that I may stop the mystery object, I’ve decide to try out a different system. Rather than give an extended answer on Monday (a time-consuming business) I will simply provide a very brief answer. Hopefully this will free up some time to do other things.
This week I present you with another partial piece of skull that I recently reunited with the rest of the specimen it came from. There’s no scale bar to keep it challenging!
Any idea what this is?
As usual, you can put your suggestions, comments and questions below and I will do my best to answer. Good luck!
Zygoma 
I think a Dire Wolf, or something from the same family, like a Terrible Wolf or an Awful Wolf. Or maybe a laughing hyena.
Not a million miles away, but it’s not Wolfy. Hyaena’s a bit closer, but still not quite there.
snapping turtle mandible
Afraid not
Lion?
Afraid not, but you’re closest so far!
Tiger??
Its got a big saggital crest certainly. Couldn’t tell you which group it came from I’m afraid, though based on the general shape I’d say “carnivoran”. One day you’ll have to do a series on “how to identify auditory bullae from quite close up”. Based on everyone else’s results I shall say “big cat”. Jaguar?
Of course, as it’s #101 it must be the thing you are most afraid of!
Smilodon perhaps?
Does seem to resemble a cat skull, but I think it looks narrower than the big cats. Maybe something smaller like a clouded leopard?
I have a skull that is probably a leopard, but the person who gave it me thought it was a clouded leopard. The back is sawn off but the rest doesn’t really look like it. In this one the ear bones are further apart than on mine.
I think the way the spine goes in to the braincase might be a clue. On my skull and on a lynx skull the neck is still going up as it goes in, like a deer. On this one, the spine seems come just from the back, like a crocodile, if you see what I mean.