Erzengel
Since: Jan, 2001
Oct 28th 2014 at 10:15:02 AM
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Can someone expand this article by explaining why a bovine skull is used to indicate a desert?
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SeptimusHeap
MOD
(Edited uphill both ways)
Oct 28th 2014 at 3:33:19 PM
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I suspect it has to do with the trope originating in places where bovines are the bulk of large animals.
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Possible real-world explanation: Skulls are round, thick, contain no marrow, and are designed to absorb impact and pressure better than other bone types. They are, therefore, less likely to be targeted by scavengers in the desert or are more likely to be left after the animal has been eaten by predators, who will focus on the meatier bits.