Lesser Grison Skull Replica

Description

Lesser grison skull replica measures 3.5 x 1.8 x 1.1 inches. The Galictis cuja is a museum-quality polyurethane resin cast of a California Academy of Sciences specimen. 2-part skull (separate cranium and mandible). 1:1 scale. Made in USA.

The lesser grison is a mustelid from South America. They live across southern South America from sea level up to 13,800 feet high. These animals live in grasslands, forests, scrub, and mountain meadows. They usually stay near water. However, they also inhabit agricultural land and pastures.

These small animals have a long, slender body, short legs, and a bushy tail. They are smaller than the greater grison. Their head and body measure between 11 and 20 inches long. Their tail adds another 5.5 to 5.7 inches. They are quite compact. Adults weigh between 2 and 5 pounds. Females are slightly smaller and more slender than males.

They have a long neck and a small head with a flat forehead. Their ears are short and round. They walk partly on the soles of their feet. They have five webbed toes with sharp, curved claws. Despite the webbing, they run and climb much better than they swim.

Both the male and female have anal scent glands and use them to spray a foul-smelling liquid for protection and predator determent.

These animals are strictly carnivorous. They eat small to medium rodents, rabbits, birds, frogs, lizards, snakes, guinea pigs, and nesting grebes. They are monogamous and hunt together when raising litters of two to five young.

Scientific Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Carnivora
• Family: Mustelidae
• Genus: Galictis
• Species: G. cuja
• Binomial name: Galictis cuja
• Conservation status: Least concern

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