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It looks like it might be a leg bone of a large animal. How do I tell it's not human?

Submitted: 1156 days ago.

Category: General

Value: $15

Status: CLOSED

You can check it based on the size of the bone and its ends. The most likely bones to be found around human habitations are beef bones as so many people give them to their dogs. This site shows a typical beef bone
http://www.sitstay.com/store/edibles/bones2.shtml
These models show human leg bones which shows the proportions of the bones
http://www.einsteins-emporium.com/science/human-anatomy/sh245.htm
This site goes over human anatomy
http://www.nsbri.org/HumanPhysSpace/focus6/ep_function.html
And says the big bone a human femur is about 20" long but is only over an inch in diameter.
If the bone you found is about as thick as a lower arm and has a bone end the size of two fists its probably beef or perhaps a horse bone.
Hope this helps you!NHolmes39100.647359838

Expert:	NancyH
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Answered:	1/18/2007

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Adept at Internet Research & I know just where to find information!

1156 days ago.

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Relist: I still need help.
I guess with all the CSI - type shows out there I just want to make sure I can throw the bone away. We live in a large city on just over an acre - most of which is unlandscaped - just desert. I found the bone in the grass this morning. One of my dogs had obviously dug it up & chewed on the ends. It's about 8 inches long, just over an inch in diameter & hollow. We've lived here almost 10 years & I've never had this happen before.

Accepted Answer

Your local museum of science or natural history probably has a person on staff who can ID the bone for you.
Or you could ask your local police dept who you could contact to clear disposal of it as non human.

Expert:	NancyH
Pos. Feedback:	96.7 %
Accepts:	86
Answered:	1/18/2007

Internet Researcher

Adept at Internet Research & I know just where to find information!

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It looks like it might be a leg bone of a large animal. How do I tell it's not human?

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Accepted Answer

Your local museum of science or natural history probably has a person on staff who can ID the bone for you. Or you could ask your local police dept who you could contact to clear disposal of it as non human.

Related General Questions

Your local museum of science or natural history probably has a person on staff who can ID the bone for you.
Or you could ask your local police dept who you could contact to clear disposal of it as non human.