Scat, the term for animal droppings, provides a wealth of information for tracking or studying wildlife activity. Analyzing the size, shape, and consistency of feces reveals the species present, their recent diet, and travel patterns. This guide offers a practical look at how to identify the distinctive sign left behind by deer.
Classic Characteristics of Deer Scat
The most frequently encountered form of deer scat is the pelletized type, typically seen during colder months when food sources are dry and fibrous. These individual droppings are usually oval or cylindrical, resembling small, dark raisins or beans. They measure about one-half to one inch in length and approximately one-quarter to one-half inch in diameter.
The individual pellets often have a slight taper or point at one end, while the other end may be rounded or have a slight indentation. Fresh pellets are dark brown or nearly black, presenting a smooth, somewhat shiny surface. As they age and dry out, the pellets become harder, develop a dull, grayish-brown color, and may crack on the surface.
Deer typically deposit these pellets in distinct piles or clusters rather than leaving them singly scattered. These groupings can contain dozens of pellets. The firm, uniform texture of this scat is a direct result of the high-fiber diet of woody browse, twigs, and hard mast consumed in the late fall and winter.
How Diet and Season Change Scat Appearance
The appearance of deer scat is not static; it changes dramatically with the seasons in direct response to the moisture content of the deer’s diet. During the spring and summer, deer consume lush vegetation, such as new grasses, forbs, and soft mast like berries or apples. These foods have a high water content and lower overall fiber, which affects the digestive process.
The resulting scat is often much softer, losing the defined pellet shape. It frequently appears as shapeless clumps, sometimes resembling a small cow patty or a mass of soft material. The color of this summer scat may also be lighter, sometimes a greenish-brown, reflecting the chlorophyll and moisture from the abundant plant matter.
This change from firm pellets to soft clumps is tied to the fermentation process in the deer’s four-chambered stomach. The high water content in the spring and summer diet prevents the formation of the firm, distinct pellets seen with dry, fibrous winter browse. As the seasons transition, it is common to find piles that contain a mix of both soft, clumped material and a few beginning pellets, indicating a dietary shift.
Differentiating Deer Scat from Look-Alikes
Correctly identifying deer scat involves distinguishing it from droppings left by other common animals. Elk scat, for instance, is the closest look-alike but is significantly larger than deer pellets. Elk droppings are comparable to the size of a small almond, whereas deer scat resembles a raisin.
Rabbit scat is also pelletized but is typically much smaller and almost perfectly round, lacking the distinct oval or tapered shape of deer pellets. Rabbit droppings are deposited individually or loosely, while deer scat is characteristically found in a tight cluster or pile.
Carnivore scat from animals like coyotes or foxes can sometimes be mistaken for deer scat, but a closer examination reveals differences. Predator scat is typically rope-like or tubular and often contains visible evidence of the animal’s diet, such as hair, bone fragments, or fur. Deer scat, being purely from a plant-eating herbivore, is composed uniformly of plant fiber and will never contain animal remains.