The last in the skull club print series. Mountain lions are the cats of many names. From ghost cat to puma, catamount to cougar, mountain lions names are as wide as their ranges.

Relief print on stonehenge

SIze 8 x10 in

Antilocapra americana is born to run. A common sight in the open swathes of the American West, Pronghorn are adapted to life on the go. Not only are they the fastest land animal in North America but also have one of the longest land migrations up to 150 miles. One of their most notable features are their horns, present as only bumps on females but grow up to 10-12 inches on males. Unlike many other ungulates their horns actually extend straight up and curve towards their rumps with a small bump facing forwards, giving them their name “pronghorn”.

An enduring symbol of the West, I had to include the Pronghorn in the skull club. These prints are for pre-order so I can have more available.

Relief Print on Stonehenge

Size: 12 x 18 in

This desert dweller is the largest lizard species in North America as well as one of the few venomous lizards in the world. Gila monsters, Heloderma suspectum, spends 95% of their time underground only emerging to hunt and sunbathe. Consider yourself very lucky if you get to see one in the wild.

I chose to include the Gila monster because i wanted a reptile as part of the collection. The skull structure is extremely unique which its bumpy texture of their heads being due not to their skin but bony deposits all over the skull itself.

Relief Print on Stonehenge

Size: 4x6 in

Canis latrans translates roughly as barking dog. Personally I think Canis cantus would have been a better fit, singing dog. First appearing in the Pleistocene epoch about 2 million years ago and adapting over time to inhabit almost all North American habitats, the coyotes’ songs have filled the air way longer than our own.

I chose the coyote for March because of it’s ability to adapt to changing environments. It is a survivor species living deep in the wilderness and in our urban cities. I think the coyote is a fan favorite out here in the West so I wanted to include them in the skull club.

Relief print on Stonehenge

Size options: 8x10 or 6x10

Each one of these prints becomes a study, a close observation of the animal’s skull, it’s orbital cavity, auditory bones, teeth, mandible, everything. These pieces are what allow us to identify an animal from what’s left behind.

This month I chose a comparison between skulls within the Leporidae family. This family includes rabbits, hares, and pikas. I chose to compare a desert cottontail, Sylvilagus audubonii. (rabbit) with a black tailed jack rabbit, Lepus californicus, (actually a hare). You’ll notice main differences in size, nasal bone, and external auditory meatus. Feel free to use the diagram to find more differences between the two species.

Relief print on Stonehenge, 2 Prints each 4x6 in

The first skull of the month is the Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias.

A striking wetland bird, Great Blue Herons exude a sense of peace and patience. Standing completely still and waiting for long periods of time, they use their sharp bill to spear prey. Specially developed vertebrae in their necks allow them to strike with astounding accuracy and speed.

I have a fondness for the heron for its association with funeral rites and death rituals within folklore. Sometimes seen as harbingers of death, the heron’s beauty is a sight to beyond on any occasion.

Printed on Stonehenge heavy weight paper in cream

Size 4.5 x 12 in