Identifying bear scat is a valuable skill for anyone venturing into bear country. Recognizing these indicators informs outdoor enthusiasts about bear activity, helping them appreciate the local ecosystem and maintain safety.
Appearance and Diet Indicators
Bear scat varies significantly in appearance, reflecting the bear’s omnivorous diet and the season. Its shape, size, consistency, and color are directly influenced by recent consumption. Black bear scat often appears tubular, measuring 5 to 12 inches long and 1.5 to 2.5 inches in diameter. Grizzly bear scat tends to be larger, typically 2 inches or more in diameter, and can be more amorphous or less uniformly shaped.
Scat consistency ranges from firm and fibrous to loose and watery. When bears consume a high-fiber diet, such as grasses, their scat is often more solid and tubular, with visible plant matter, resulting in an olive-green color. During berry season, scat becomes looser, resembling a messy pile and containing undigested seeds, fruit pulp, and sometimes whole berries. This type of scat often has a purplish-red or brown hue.
If a bear has been feeding on meat or carrion, the scat will be darker, often black or tar-like, and may contain hair, bone fragments, or feathers. This scat may also have a greasy appearance and a foul odor. Scat containing insects, such as ants or beetle shells, might appear fragmented or “sparkle” due to chitinous exoskeletons. Freshness is gauged by moisture and temperature: wet, steaming, or warm scat indicates a recent deposit, while dry, lighter-colored, or jerky-like scat suggests it is older.
Distinguishing Bear Scat
Identifying Other Animal Scat
Differentiating bear scat from other animals involves observing its size, shape, and contents. Deer and elk produce distinct, uniform pellets or balls, unlike the generally less uniform appearance of bear scat. Coyote scat is typically tubular and rope-like, often twisted with tapered ends, and is smaller than bear scat (3 to 5 inches long, less than 1.5 inches in diameter), primarily containing hair and bone fragments. Domestic dog scat, while tubular, is generally smaller than bear scat and lacks varied wild contents.
Safety Measures
If you encounter bear scat, avoid direct contact due to potential bacteria or parasites. Observe it from a safe distance; its characteristics provide clues about the bear’s diet and recent presence. Fresh scat indicates a bear was recently in the vicinity, requiring increased vigilance.
To minimize encounter risk, make noise (talking, singing, clapping) to announce your presence, allowing bears to move away. Scan surroundings for other bear activity signs like tracks, claw marks on trees, or disturbed vegetation. If scat appears fresh, consider backtracking and choosing an alternative route. Always carry bear spray and understand its use; if hiking with others, remain together.