Discover the science behind skulls

Occasionally, a walk in the woods leads to discovery of some poor animal who lost the battle of predator versus prey. Sometimes these remains contain just a handful of bones and a bunch of unanswered questions for the hiker. Learn how to answer some of these questions, including who is the victim, at the Washington County Conservation Board?s program ?Skulls and Their Stories? program. The program will begin at 10 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 27, at the Conservation Education Center at Marr Park.

Discover how to read a skull in this hands-on, investigative program. The program will cover the basics of skulls and the unique features of mammal skulls. You'll examine actual specimens and analyze the differences. Features studied will include the senses of sight, sound and smell; differences in mammalian teeth and their uses; and muscle attachments and their significance. As a result, you?ll be able to draw conclusions about the animal?s lifestyle, diet, and identification.

Participants with personal, decently cleaned skulls are invited to bring them for possible identification.

Marr Park is located 1 mile west of Ainsworth and 6 miles east of Washington on Highway 92. The Conservation Education Center is located in the south part of the park. For more information, contact the naturalist at 319/657-2400 or wccbnaturalist@iowatelecom.net.