The basioccipital, exoccipital and the lower part of the squamous occipital were formed from the basal plate. The endochondral part of the occipital bone was developed from four ossification centers. The squamous occipital was formed in both membrane and cartilage. The early ossifi cation of the exoccipital and basioccipital was evident at 62 days. The consolidation of the different components of the occipital bone was observed at 126 days. Complete ossifi cation of the squamous occipital, basioccipital and exoccipital was noticed at 132 days.