Another thing I was thinking of – since on last season’s Game of Thrones there were still three viable dragon eggs after all those years, maybe there were more? And this one didn’t make it? Any reports of fire in the area?

People, stop thinking turtles can lose their shell! Their shell consists of their ribs, so they can´t get lost like skin. The rest of the anatomy doesn’t fit a turtle anyway.

Actually there is a quite simple and – as I think – rational explanation. Given the size, shape, locality and especially a particular anatomical detail, this is next to sure a beaver.

At first please take a look at the proportions of a beaver skeletons (note the long hind legs in particular):

The shape of a beaver skeletons is very similar to those of this carcass, but there is an anatomical trait which is typical for beavers, very wide transveral spines on the caudal vertebrae:

The overall shape of the head is also well fitting those of a beaver:

Of course there are still muscles attached to the skull of the carcass, so the head looks still more massive.

You don’t find such spinal processes in raccoons, fishers or the other supposed mammals like otters.