What sea creature is this?

[u/Mediocre-Answer-1378]

We found this skull on a beach in west Denmark. It was about 30-35 cm long. It didn't seem to have any holes for eyes. The teeth were small and evenly spaced. I don't even know if it's the upper or lower jaw. I'd rule out a seal, perhaps some kind of small whale? First picture is one side, second the other side, third is the neck.

[u/Guartofo]

Either a dolphin or porpoise. Their skulls are very distinctive. Not sure about the specific species

[u/Mediocre-Answer-1378 → u/Guartofo]

Oh, that could be right. There was also a rib cage a little further away, which might fit in terms of size. But I wasn't sure if it belonged together, there was so much stuff lying around.

Unfortunately, my wife didn't want me to take it with me. The dog and I were thrilled about the skull.

[u/snickerdoodlenoms → u/Mediocre-Answer-1378]

Honestly its probably not legal to take, you'd need to check with state/federal law first. Probably better that you left it. Cool find though!

[u/Mediocre-Answer-1378 → u/snickerdoodlenoms]

I've already googled it. In Denmark, you're allowed to take small amounts of sand, shells, and fossils from the beach. I don't know if a skull like that falls under that, but I imagine it depends on the police officer.

[u/IronGlenn → u/Mediocre-Answer-1378]

Pretty sure Whales and dolphins are protected by international laws. You can’t possess anything found or harvested after a certain date.

[u/palpatineforever → u/Mediocre-Answer-1378]

It is complicated.
Even if there are no rules about taking it you can get in trouble for moving things that are cites listed which this is. it is most likely to be a Harbour porpoise which are cites II. If you were transporting it etc then you can end up having it confescated getting a fine etc.

[u/jokke420 → u/Mediocre-Answer-1378]

I'd say it belongs into the fossils category because you'd assume that fossils are more rare than common dolfin bones depending on the fossils size of course. I'd go with everything you can carry by foot is a fair game!

[u/palpatineforever → u/jokke420]

fossils are generally not cites though. (there are a couple of exceptions)

Bones and other body parts of living animals can be different to fossils in that there are laws against their movement.
This is to prevent the trade in their parts, obviously OP would be getting it from the beach, but a skull from a beach and a skull from illegal hunting are the same. So you can get fined etc for transporting it.

[u/sendnudesformemes → u/jokke420]

Homestly in denmark fossils are kinda common on beaches.

[u/barnowl1980 → u/jokke420]

It doesn't work like that. You can't compare the bones of a living, protected species with a fossil. These laws exist for very good reasons, and bone collecting is just as uch about ethics and caring about wildlife preservation as it is about finding cool bones.

[u/barnowl1980 → u/Mediocre-Answer-1378]

Sand, shells, small fossils yes. But you can't take home a cetecean skull, they are highly protected marine mammals in the EU. It doesn't matter if you get likely caught or not, those laws still exist for very important ecological reasons. And exceptions can't be made for beach finds (as that creates major loopholes for illegal trade).

Please place it back. This skull is simply not ethical or legal to take home. I get it's a cool find, I really do. I would be tempted as well. But bone collecting is about ethics and respecting wildlife preservation laws, too.

[u/Mediocre-Answer-1378 → u/barnowl1980]

Oh, maybe it wasn't clear. I didn't take the skull with me

[u/Vesprince → u/Guartofo]

Porpoise, spade shaped teeth.

[u/grasspikemusic]

It's a Harbor Porpoise. There eyes are set way back and on the side of the head

Very common in the North Sea and Baltic Sea

[u/jimknoppf]

You re Not close to Skagen in the north of denmark, are you? Saw a very similar Skeleton close to Kandestederne a month ago. But there will probably be a lot of those.

[u/anthonypreacher]

porpoise

[u/ck_wilder]

Looks like a bottlenose dolphin, my holy grail lol. Pretty sure I can't own one here, but I wish 🥲 Hope you were able to collect it!

[u/BirbMain]

thats fucking khonshu

[u/peppersk8er]

Omggggg