What does a kinetic skull do?

Having mobile joints between various parts of the skull, e.g., being able to unhinge the jaws. This allows the mouth of the animal, e.g., snake, to open wider so that it can eat large prey.

Why do rabbits have cranial kinesis?

This is cranial kinesis – multiple joints and movement within the cranium. Rabbits and hares have an additional joint in their skulls that allows movement, and they are the only mammals with this feature (see this video).

Do all Lepidosaurs have cranial kinesis?

Three main forms of cranial kinesis are present in lepidosaurs (see Figure 2, Table 1). Of these, streptostyly and mesokinesis are well defined. Metakinesis has been discussed often, but there remains a great deal of confusion regarding its anatomical definition.

What is cranial kinesis in birds?

In birds cranial kinesis is characterised by the ability to move the upper bill or a part thereof relative to the cranium. It is generally accepted that the movement within bony parts of the beak occurs in bending zones, which are clearly recognisable as discrete areas of thin bone(Zusi, 1984).

What’s the difference between a hare and a rabbit’s skull?

Details The most obvious difference between these species, apart from size, is the relative width of the nasal passage (between the rear molars). Overall lengths of adult skulls: Hare – over 90mm; Rabbit – under 85mm. 1. Brown Hare, lateral view 2. Rabbit, lateral view 3. Rabbit (L), Brown Hare (R), ventral views Collection ref. – 90.004

How big is the skull of a brown hare?

Rabbit & Brown Hare, ventral view 4. Details The most obvious difference between these species, apart from size, is the relative width of the nasal passage (between the rear molars). Overall lengths of adult skulls: Hare – over 90mm; Rabbit – under 85mm. 1. Brown Hare, lateral view 2. Rabbit, lateral view 3.

How big is a rabbit’s skull in inches?

Overall lengths of adult skulls: Hare – over 90mm; Rabbit – under 85mm. 1. Brown Hare, lateral view 2. Rabbit, lateral view 3. Rabbit (L), Brown Hare (R), ventral views Collection ref. – 90.004 Latin Name : Oryctolagus “digging hare”, from two Greek words orukter “digging tool” and lagos “rabbit”; x cuniculus – Latinword for a rabbit.

Are there any animals with significant cranial kinesis?

Significant cranial kinesis is rare in mammals (the human skull shows no cranial kinesis at all). Birds have varying degrees of cranial kinesis, with parrots exhibiting the greatest degree.