Squirrel Body Farm Decomp- Heather James:Osteologist, Sarah McConnell: Decomposition Expert, Sydney Von Strohe: Entomologist & Meteorologist
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Day 1
Field Expert:
It was 78% humidity with a temperature of 72 degrees F. It was a cloudy day with no sunlight.
Skeletal Expert: Our animal is a Squirrel or a Sciuridae. There was no evidence of any bone shown on day one.
Decomposition Expert: Our animal is a Squirrel or a Sciuridae. On day 1, when the an the animal was collected, some of its intestines were present outside of the body. Other than that all other parts of the animal was intact.
Entomologist: There is no insect activity on day 1 -
Day 2
Field Expert: On day 2 it was partly cloudy, 72% humid. With a temperature of 72 degrees F, with 12 mph winds. There was light rain the night before and possibly contrubuted to the faster decomp. Skeletal Expert: The jaw of the animal was begining to show. There was no signs of any disturbance by other creatures. Decomposition Expert: The animal is starting to decay on day 2 but not rapidly. Due to the weather conditions it helped the decomp. Entomologist: There was little/no insect activity -
Day 3
A Weekend day the data is N/A -
Day 4
Weekend- data is N/A -
Day 5 (day 3)
Field Expert: On day 3 it was a light wind with 55% humidity, partly cloudy and a temp of 64 degrees F. There was rain the days before and the area our animal was in was wet.Skeletal Expert: The jaw was still present but no other bone has begun to show. Decomposition Expert: The animal has begun to deflate and start decaying faster. There is a potent smell from the decomp. Entomologist: Blow flies had begun to surround the animal but no other insects were present. -
Day 6
Field Expert: The weather on day 6 was cloudy with rain, the temp was 66 degrees with 12mph winds. With 44% humidity. Our animal was found that day a little over half a foot away from the origanal spot. Another animal seemed to have moved it. Skeletal Expert: Due to the moving of the animal we could see more the animals leg and the jaw bone was still present. Decomposition Expert: It began to look more deflated and the decomp was more present.Entomologist: There was several blow flies found -
Day 7
Field Expert: On day 7 the weather was 91% humidity with a temp of 66 degrees F. And 15mph winds. The high percentage of humidity definatly contributed to the decomp and the increased smell of the animal. It rained the night before. Skeletal Expert: No new bones were show that day but due to the decomp I can begin to see the outline of the skeletal system.Decomposition Expert: The animal started to turn a black color and looked very flat.Entomologist: Blow flies were present. -
Day 8
Field Expert: On day 8 the weather was cloudy with 85% humidity and a temp of 73 degrees F. Also winds of 12mph.Skeletal Expert: No new bones were showing but due to the decomp you can see more and more of the skeletal system. Decomposition Expert: The animal is decaying more, the body is turning darker and the size of the body is skrinking rapidly. Entomologist: There are only blow flies still present no others have apeared. -
Day 9
Field Expert: On day 9 the weather was cloudy with a temp of 73 degrees F. A 79% humidity and with 13mph winds. Skeletal Expert: Still there is no more bones shown outside of the body but as the animal decays I can now see details of the skeletal system through the skin. Decomposition Expert: The decomposition is happening slowly but the animal is still turning a dark color. It is looking more like a piece of paper, there was a red piece of skin on top of the animalEntomologist: Blow flies -
Day 10
Weekend, Data n/a -
Day 11
Weekend, data N/a -
Day 12
Field Expert: The weather on day 12 was cloudy with a temp of 74 degrees, winds of 6mph and a humidity of 75%. I was raining that weekend before so the surrounding area was wet.Skeletal Expert: No bones besides the jaw and leg are present. The skeletal system is still intact under the skin. Decomposition Expert: The animal is now looking like it is apart of the ground. The skin is rapidly decaying.Entomologist: Not many insects were present. Maybe 1 blow fly. -
Day 13
Field Expert: The weather on the final day was a temp of 75 degrees F. WIth a humidity of 80% and winds of 11mph. It was cloudy and dewy. Skeletal Expert: There was still no more bone present and the decaying process is going slow. Decomposition Expert: The squirrel is completly deflated and has become "a part" of the ground. It has a strong smell and has shrinked in size. Entomologist: Blow flies were present but no other insects were.
