How long does it take for a whale to decompose?

MadSci Network: Environment & Ecology

Subject: How long does it take for a whale to decompose?

Date: Fri Jul 28 14:30:37 2006
Posted by Isabella
Grade level: 10-12 School: No school entered.
City: Seal Beach State/Province: CA Country: USA
Area of science: Environment & Ecology
ID: 1154122237.En

Message:


I live at the beach and about three years ago a dead whale washed up on shore.  
Instead of hauling it away, the officials just buried it in the sand about 100 
yards from my house.  They buried it pretty deep, with bulldozers.  My friends 
and I want to try digging up the bones, but we don't want to dig it up if it is 
only partially decomposed.  How long would it take to totally decompose?  Are 
there any dangers in trying to dig it up?  Is there any way to find the exact 
spot where it was buried (i.e., is there something similar to a metal detector 
for detecting buried bones)?  Thanks so much!

Re: How long does it take for a whale to decompose?

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