Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

marble falls

(56,371 posts)
Sun May 24, 2020, 10:58 PM May 2020

Forensic scientists caught a deer munching on a human carcass for the first time ever

Forensic scientists caught a deer munching on a human carcass for the first time ever

It’s gruesome, but could help investigations
Sarah Fecht
By Sarah Fecht
May 5, 2017

https://www.popsci.com/deer-eating-human-remains/

Warning: the photos at site may be disturbing for some people.

<snip>

In July 2014, researchers left a body in a wooded part of FARF. They wanted to learn about how different scavengers leave their marks on human remains, so they set up a motion-sensitive camera to see who would stop by. In this part of Texas, it's not unusual to see foxes, turkey vultures, raccoons, coyotes, and other carrion-gobblers picking at a corpse. But after a few months, someone new came to the table.

On January 5, 2015, the camera caught a glimpse of a young white-tailed deer standing near the skeleton with a human rib bone in its mouth. Then it happened again on January 13—the camera caught a deer with another rib sticking out of its mouth like a cigar. It’s not clear whether it was the same deer in both cases, but it's certainly possible first one came back for seconds.

It is not, however, the first time we've seen deer violating their vegetarian diets. In fact, they're known to have a taste for blood. Previously they've been spotted eating fish, bats, and dead rabbits. Scientists think deer and other herbivores may occasionally seek out flesh to get minerals—such as phosphorus, salt, and calcium—that may be missing from their regular diets, especially in wintertime.

<snip>


Although it’s likely rare for deer to munch on human remains, being able to recognize the signs of ungulate gnawing may help investigators pinpoint where a body came from and how long it’s been dead—which could help turn a mysteriously mangled crime scene into a solved case.



17 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Forensic scientists caught a deer munching on a human carcass for the first time ever (Original Post) marble falls May 2020 OP
Oh my.... mbusby May 2020 #1
That would be a weird sight - a deer gnawing on a human rib bone. The Velveteen Ocelot May 2020 #2
There are photos at the link. Its .... unexpected. marble falls May 2020 #3
I would totally watch that movie, LOL. Laffy Kat May 2020 #6
That's it SCantiGOP May 2020 #4
Interesting. Laffy Kat May 2020 #5
lots of herbivores are facultative carnivores mike_c May 2020 #7
But did the cow hunt and kill the rabbit, or just scavenge a dead one? The Velveteen Ocelot May 2020 #8
presumably the latter mike_c May 2020 #14
So now I can add SCantiGOP May 2020 #9
I just wrote a post about squirrels eating baby birds csziggy May 2020 #13
I'm not too surprised. Buckeye_Democrat May 2020 #10
Thanks, last Saturday safeinOhio May 2020 #11
Nope. Not at all. Back in the old days if you hit a deer on the highway and grabbed it ... marble falls May 2020 #12
Well when I asked if this year couldn't get any worse... Initech May 2020 #15
Turnabout is fair play? Totally Tunsie Aug 2020 #16
Its the sauce. marble falls Aug 2020 #17

The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,280 posts)
2. That would be a weird sight - a deer gnawing on a human rib bone.
Sun May 24, 2020, 11:12 PM
May 2020

I wonder if anybody has done a horror movie about man-eating deer rampaging through campsites and deer stands?

Laffy Kat

(16,356 posts)
5. Interesting.
Mon May 25, 2020, 12:02 AM
May 2020

It appeared to be munching on the ribcage. As the article notes, I would think it was after the calcium and phosphorus.

mike_c

(36,214 posts)
7. lots of herbivores are facultative carnivores
Mon May 25, 2020, 12:05 AM
May 2020

There's a fairly famous photo of a cow eating a rabbit that I use in my ecology lectures. Google "cow eating rabbit" to see it. Most grazing herbivores eat plenty of insects and other small animals while they graze. Years ago, I rounded a curve on a rural road in Utah and saw something road killed in the middle of the road. Before I reached it a squirrel popped up out of the carcass and dove into the weeds. Protein is protein.

The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,280 posts)
8. But did the cow hunt and kill the rabbit, or just scavenge a dead one?
Mon May 25, 2020, 12:21 AM
May 2020

It's hard for me to imagine cows hunting.

SCantiGOP

(13,856 posts)
9. So now I can add
Mon May 25, 2020, 12:37 AM
May 2020

being eaten by a deer, cow or squirrel to the things I can worry about?
I’m never coming out of my house again.

csziggy

(34,120 posts)
13. I just wrote a post about squirrels eating baby birds
Mon May 25, 2020, 04:35 PM
May 2020
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181364043#post7

So squirrels don't just eat road kill, they will eat other things that are small enough for them to handle.

Buckeye_Democrat

(14,848 posts)
10. I'm not too surprised.
Mon May 25, 2020, 01:58 AM
May 2020

Other "herbivores" like horses will quickly gobble down a ham sandwich and other meats if given the chance.

safeinOhio

(32,532 posts)
11. Thanks, last Saturday
Mon May 25, 2020, 02:10 AM
May 2020

I was headed out to go fishing. It was 6:15 and I was only going 45 in a 55 zone because so many animals were out at that time. A young 4 point in velvet jumped out in front of me and I hit it. Been driving for for 50 years and that's the first time I've really hit one. He had hit the corner of the van and it split his head open between his antlers and he died.

Gave up on fishing before I could get the boat in the water. Thru the poor thing in the boat and headed home. Had some steaks tonight and pretty tasty. On my 2 acres I have lots of bird feeding stations. A first, having vultures visit, lots of crows and waiting for the local pair of eagles to stop by for the gut pile.

Now I feel a little better and please don't judge me.

marble falls

(56,371 posts)
12. Nope. Not at all. Back in the old days if you hit a deer on the highway and grabbed it ...
Mon May 25, 2020, 08:29 AM
May 2020

in Ohio it was a serious violation, but the staties would take hit deer to counties homes and state hospitals.

If we kill something we ought to at least not waste it.

In Iowa if you hit deer you can field dress it and bury the gut pile in the ditch. At least that was the law in the 90's.

In Texas the buzzards get them.

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Weird News»Forensic scientists caugh...