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Shocked homeowner finds BONE-CHILLING 30-year-old skeleton behind cabinet

The skeleton had long clawed forearms, prominent teeth, including a particularly intimidating set of bottom incisors, and extended back legs

COOK, AUSTRALIA: A homeowner was left terrified after discovering a 60 cm long well-preserved animal skeleton lying behind an old cupboard. Andrew Higginson, who lives in the inner Canberra suburb of Cook, Australia, found the gruesome skeleton after he removed an old cupboard that had spent at least 30 years in the property's horse stables.

"The people who owned the house had horses that they used to keep up in the paddocks nearby and would bring down on the weekend," the 68-year-old said told DailyMail. "We moved the old cabinet and there was that skeleton lying in the straw. I thought "what's that?" I uncovered it and it was so big. At first, I thought it could be a rat, it was very well preserved." Higginson also shared the images of his hideous discovery on his Twitter and sought opinions on what the unidentified creature may be.

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A baby ‘tyrannosaurus’

"Found this. Mate reckons it is a big rat? Any other options?" he tweeted. In the pictures, the skeleton has long clawed forearms, prominent teeth, including a particularly intimidating set of bottom incisors, and extended back legs with a little tail. While many called it a big rat, some agreed that it is a wallaby, a small kangaroo, or a cat. However, there were also some users who got a little fictional and called the skeleton a baby ‘tyrannosaurus' or the mythical drop bear.

Higginson said, he then sent the pictures of the skeleton to his veterinary friend. "At first, he thought it might have been a rat but he took a closer photo of its teeth and he said "no, no it looks like a possum'", Mr Higginson said. The skeleton also caught the attention of The Mammals Team from Sydney's Australian Museum, who said it is a possum.

'It's most likely a Brushtail Possum’

"It's a most likely a Brushtail Possum, Trichosurus vulpecula but there is also a chance it could be a Mountain Brushtail Possum, T caninus," the team said as per Daily Mail. "The dentition and skull shape excludes cats (would have a large canine and fewer teeth) and the forelimb to hind limb ratio, excludes macropods. Large premolar excludes Ringtail Possum."

Higginson revealed that possums have lived in the stables since he bought the property 30 years ago. "There are still possums living in the shed," he said. "There are generations of possums that have taken it as their home. One with a baby we see quite regularly." He further stated that he initially thought to dispose of the skeleton but had thought better of it. "I was going to bin it but if someone wants to take possession of it, given it's so well preserved, I've still got it in my garage at home," he said. "I am happy to give it to a better home. It's probably a bit lonely in my garage at the moment."