Coyote populations are increasingly moving into suburban and urban areas, making encounters with their signs, such as droppings, more common for homeowners and hikers. Learning to accurately identify coyote scat, or feces, is a straightforward way to confirm their presence in an area and understand their movements. Identification relies on a combination of physical characteristics, the contents found within, and the location where the scat is deposited. Understanding these details helps distinguish coyote signs from those of other animals, most often domestic dogs.
Key Physical Characteristics for Identification
Coyote scat typically presents as a tubular, rope-like form, often appearing twisted or segmented due to the presence of undigested materials. The size is relatively consistent, generally measuring between 3/4 to 1.5 inches in diameter and anywhere from 3 to 12 inches in length, with males often leaving longer specimens than females. A distinctive feature is the tapered or pointed ends of the scat, a result of the animal’s sphincter muscle squeezing off the fecal mass, contrasting with the typically blunt ends of domestic dog droppings. The consistency is usually firm and well-formed, though this can vary depending on the coyote’s recent diet. Coyotes often use their scat as a form of territorial marking, intentionally depositing it in highly visible locations like the middle of trails, elevated rocks, or on logs.
What Scat Contents Reveal About Coyote Diet
The internal composition of coyote scat is the most reliable identifier, as coyotes are opportunistic omnivores whose diet changes seasonally. The scat frequently contains undigested materials like animal fur, hair, and bone fragments from small prey such as rabbits and rodents. When a coyote’s diet shifts to a more plant-based focus, such as during warmer months, the scat will often be packed with seeds, berry casings, and plant fibers. These contents give the scat a rough, fibrous texture and affect its color, which usually ranges from dark brown to black. Scat containing a high volume of fruit and seeds may appear lighter in color and more crumbly. The presence of undigested materials like fur and bone is a significant clue indicating a wild, carnivorous or omnivorous diet.
Distinguishing Coyote Scat from Domestic Dog Feces
The most common point of confusion is distinguishing coyote scat from the feces of a domestic dog, which requires a comparative look at consistency, contents, and context. Coyote scat is characteristically rougher in texture due to the presence of undigested hair and bone fragments, which is rarely observed in the droppings of a dog on a processed commercial diet. Dog feces, conversely, is typically smoother and softer in consistency. While the size of scat from a large dog can overlap with that of a coyote, coyote scat is often more uniform in diameter and length across different specimens. The most telling difference is the placement and purpose, as coyotes deliberately deposit scat on elevated or exposed spots to communicate their presence for territorial marking. Domestic dog feces, in contrast, is usually deposited randomly.
Safety Measures and Handling Precautions
When encountering any animal scat, exercising caution is important due to the potential for disease transmission. Coyote feces can harbor parasites, such as tapeworms, and various bacteria and viruses that can be harmful to humans and pets. Direct contact should be avoided, and safety measures must be employed if cleanup is necessary.
Cleanup Procedures
Anyone handling the material should wear protective gloves and a face mask to prevent inhaling small particles or dust. The scat should be removed using a tool, such as a shovel, and double-bagged in tightly sealed plastic bags for disposal. After removal, the contaminated area should be disinfected with a diluted bleach solution, and hands must be washed thoroughly with soap and hot water.