hairtrigger, He was shot with the 17HMR! If he had been shot with "devastation supreme..25-06" we might not have known if he had teeth!! I've shot thousands of them but never seen anything like this!! GHD
Posts: 2495 | Location: SW. VA | Registered: 29 July 2002
This happens in all rodentia when the teeth do not meet properly. The teeth continue to grow (and are not worn down), so they eventually grow out of the mouth.
If the animal survives long enough, they will eventually be unable to eat.
I have seen a similar skull of a beaver -- even more impressive! I'll try to post a picture.
jpb
Posts: 1006 | Location: northern Sweden | Registered: 22 May 2002
thats where the saying "getting a little long on the tooth" came from. The teeth continue to grow, so if the process of chewing doesn't keep them worn this is what happens.
Posts: 14 | Location: NC | Registered: 28 August 2003
That's really unfortunate. You know the animal must be suffering on a daily basis. There's not much way he can chew with choppers that badly distorted. I've shot them with teeth so curled it's surprising they can open their mouth at all. Beaver also have this problem. Best wishes.
Boyd, Right across the road from my old dairy barn!! Yes he is in the freezer and will go to the taxidermy shop this coming summer! Levi, my 18 year old hunting buddy goes to FLA. every summer and is learning the taxidermy stuff first hand. He did Sarah's (Miss GHD's) first groundhog for her..he is the one that got her to shoot it!!!!!) and he's going to do this one also!!! Did you get that 2 mile PD yet?????? I'm looking forward to using this SAUM at various distances using the "Groove Bullets"!!! They will shoot!!! GHD
Posts: 2495 | Location: SW. VA | Registered: 29 July 2002
It's a good thing you put that groundhog out of his misery. A couple more inches and those teeth would have probably gone into his brain. I don't see how he could even eat. He must have been in constant pain.
Posts: 35 | Location: Virginia | Registered: 06 November 2003