Animal scat is the biological waste product animals leave behind after digestion. This material is a valuable, non-invasive source of information for naturalists, trackers, and wildlife biologists. Studying scat provides insight into an animal’s presence, distribution, health, and diet within an ecosystem. Scatology, the study of animal feces, helps confirm the existence of elusive or nocturnal species without direct observation. Interpreting this sign is a foundational skill for understanding the wild inhabitants of a landscape.
Safety Protocols for Handling Samples
Safety is a primary consideration when examining scat, as animal droppings can harbor various pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Diseases like Hantavirus and Raccoon Roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis) can be transmitted through contact or inhalation of aerosolized particles from dried feces. Direct skin contact must be avoided, and observation is always preferred over handling.
If closer inspection is necessary, mandatory personal protective equipment includes nitrile gloves and a face mask or respirator to prevent inhalation. Use tools such as a stick, shovel, or tweezers to manipulate the sample, never bare hands. After any interaction, all tools must be disinfected, and hands thoroughly washed with soap and hot water, even if gloves were worn.
Analyzing Physical Form and Dimensions
Identification begins with examining the scat’s measurable, external characteristics, starting with size. The size of the scat is directly proportional to the size of the animal, making length and diameter primary indicators. To accurately record these dimensions, place a ruler or a common object of known size next to the sample before taking a photograph.
Scat shape is defined by the animal’s digestive system. Herbivores, such as deer and rabbits, typically produce small, firm, pelletized, or spherical droppings. Carnivores like coyotes or foxes tend to leave tubular, rope-like segments that often have tapered or twisted ends. Omnivore scat, such as that from a raccoon or bear, is more variable in shape and consistency.
Texture and color provide clues about freshness and recent diet. Fresh scat is generally darker and softer, while older samples are dry, harder, and may appear faded. Color changes seasonally; for example, a dark, purple color may indicate a diet heavy in berries. Consistency varies widely, from the firm, dense pellets of ruminants to the looser pile left by an animal feeding on high-moisture fruit.
Clues from Location and Contents
Contextual evidence significantly refines identification. The location and manner of deposition are important clues, as many species utilize scat to communicate or mark territory. Raccoons, badgers, and water voles frequently deposit droppings in communal areas known as “latrines,” often near den sites or territorial boundaries. Other species, like foxes, may leave scat conspicuously on elevated objects or in the middle of a trail to maximize visibility.
Analyzing the undigested contents reveals the animal’s dietary classification and recent meals. Herbivore scat is composed almost entirely of plant matter, such as finely chewed grass or identifiable seeds. Carnivore scat often contains fur, small bone fragments, or teeth from prey animals due to the difficulty in digesting hair and bone. Omnivore droppings are the most varied, presenting a mix of both animal and plant remnants, such as insect exoskeletons, seeds, and small pieces of fur.
Identifying Common Wildlife Droppings
White-tailed Deer: Scat is typically pelletized, consisting of small, dark brown ovals often slightly tapered at one end. Because deer are ruminants, the droppings are finely digested and lack obvious contents. These pellets are commonly found in clusters or small piles along trails and forest edges.
Eastern Cottontail Rabbit: Rabbit droppings appear as small, spherical, perfectly round pellets. They are usually greenish or yellowy-brown and contain visible plant fibers. Rabbits often deposit their droppings in scattered patterns as they move, though concentrated piles may indicate a regular feeding spot.
Coyote: Coyote scat is generally tubular and rope-like, with a diameter of about three-quarters of an inch, and frequently features twisted, tapered ends. As opportunistic carnivores, their droppings are routinely packed with fur and small bone fragments of rodents and rabbits. When their diet includes fruit, seeds and berries may also be present.
Raccoon: Raccoon droppings are blunt-ended and tubular, often resembling the scat of a small domestic dog. As highly omnivorous animals, their scat often contains a visible mix of undigested berries, seeds, and insect casings. Raccoons are known for creating communal latrines in prominent locations like logs, stumps, or the bases of trees.