Scat, the technical term for animal droppings, is a biological signature left behind by wildlife, recording an animal’s presence, diet, and habits. Identifying this sign is a fundamental tool used in wildlife tracking and ecological studies, allowing researchers to monitor species populations without direct observation. The physical appearance of scat provides the most immediate and reliable clues for identification. Examination of its features is the first step in determining the animal responsible and understanding its role within the ecosystem.
The Primary Indicators: Shape and Size
The geometry and dimension of animal scat are foundational for accurate identification, determined by the animal’s digestive anatomy. Carnivores, such as canines and felines, produce cylindrical or rope-like scat, reflecting their narrow digestive tracts. Dog family scat (foxes, coyotes) often has tapered, twisted ends, while cat scat is typically segmented and uniform with blunt ends.
Herbivores, adapted to break down tough plant cellulose, excrete scat in pelletized or segmented forms. Ungulates (deer, elk) and lagomorphs (rabbits) produce distinct droppings. Deer scat consists of small, dark, oval pellets, often tapered at one end. The size is a key differentiator; rabbit pellets are pea-sized, while larger ungulates like moose produce flattened disks.
Omnivores, having a mixed diet, often produce scat that is tubular but less rigid, such as the large, frequently unformed piles associated with bears. The sheer size of the scat is a clear initial indicator, helping distinguish between closely related species, such as a large fox and a smaller coyote. This initial assessment narrows the possibilities and sets the stage for a closer look at the scat’s internal composition.
Decoding the Diet: Contents and Consistency
The internal contents of scat are a direct reflection of the animal’s diet, confirming identification. Carnivore scat is firm and densely packed due to high protein and low fiber content. Inspection often reveals undigested prey signs, such as fragments of bone, teeth, feathers, or dense clumps of hair.
Herbivore scat is characterized by high fiber content and uniform consistency. Pellets are composed almost entirely of finely ground plant material, which may appear fibrous, woody, or powdery when dry. The presence of seeds, grass blades, or wood fragments indicates an animal that relies solely on vegetation. This scat is usually dry, hard, and relatively odorless.
Omnivore scat shows the most variability in both content and consistency, changing dramatically with the seasons and food availability. This type of scat may contain a mixed collection of items, including seeds from berries, insect exoskeletons, and occasionally small pieces of hair or bone. The consistency of omnivore droppings (e.g., raccoon or bear) is often mushy or loosely formed, especially when the animal has been feeding heavily on moisture-rich fruits.
Context Clues: Placement and Color
Placement
The location where scat is found offers valuable secondary clues for identification. Some animals, such as raccoons and badgers, routinely deposit droppings in communal areas known as latrines, often found at the base of trees or on raised logs. In contrast, canids like foxes and coyotes use scat for communication, intentionally leaving it on prominent features like rocks, stumps, or trails to mark territory.
Color and Age
The color of the scat is determined by its freshness and the animal’s recent diet. Fresh scat is typically brown or green, reflecting plant matter or the presence of bile. As scat ages, it dries out and darkens, often turning black, especially if the diet was meat-heavy.
A white or chalky appearance suggests high calcium content, frequently seen in the droppings of birds and reptiles. These animals excrete nitrogenous waste as white uric acid. Over time, the texture changes as it dries and cracks, and the color may fade due to sun exposure, indicating the age of the droppings.
Safety and Handling Precautions
Encountering animal scat requires a cautious approach due to the potential presence of various health risks. Animal droppings can harbor bacteria, such as E. coli and Salmonella, and parasites like roundworm and giardia, which can cause illness in humans. Inhaling dust from dried scat, particularly that of rodents, can pose a risk of diseases like hantavirus, which affects the respiratory system.
Direct contact with scat must be strictly avoided; never handle droppings with bare hands. If examination is necessary, use disposable gloves and a stick or tool to manipulate the sample. When cleaning up scat near human habitation, wear a dust mask or respirator to prevent the inhalation of airborne particles.
Safe cleanup involves specific steps:
- Wet the area with a disinfectant solution, such as a diluted bleach mixture.
- Scoop up the material using a shovel or paper towel.
- Double-bag and securely seal the collected waste and used cleaning materials before disposal in the trash.
- Avoid sweeping or vacuuming dry scat, as this can aerosolize harmful pathogens, increasing the risk of exposure.