How long does it take for an animal skeleton to decay in wild?

Perhaps around 20 years in an acidic soil like a forest. Much longer in neutral soils, and obviously in the right conditions the skeleton can persist for millions of years. read more

There are plenty of scavenger animals that will pick most the carcass and the smaller bones before much decay sets in. Now bone is made mostly of calcium with varying density in the bone itself. I would imagine after it completely dried out it would break into pieces and look more likes rocks. read more

In humid conditions, bones might be broken down in a matter of a decade or so, but in a dry climate, it could take thousands of years! Bones do decay, just at a slower rate than other types of organic material and tissue. When someone passes away, one of the most common phrases spoken at the ceremony or funeral is “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust”. read more