Whose Scat is That?

So…I would like to talk about the scat I keep finding in my inbox. People are sending me pictures of poop that they find on hiking trails, on sidewalks, and in their backyards. Yuck! Just consider for a moment that I roll into work about 8:00 am in the morning. Like many people the first thing that I do is check my email and my messages, so I can plan my day and… Whoa! A giant poo as large as my 12” x 24” monitor in my inbox! 

Now, if you are between the ages of 3 and 12 and attended a program that I have run on ecology, you know that I love to talk about the importance of poop! (* The polite way to discuss poop in the context of environmental science is to call it feces, or if found out on a trail: scat.) All three words mean roughly the same thing: undigested material that exits an organism through intestines and out an anus (vs. regurgitation that comes out of an organism’s mouth, such as owl and snake pellets). In programs, I love to find opportunities to discuss the importance of animal waste. It is part of the cycle of life. It is high in nitrogen and wonderful for plants, insects, and decomposers that again feed us. Nothing is wasted.

Whose Scat is That?

Everybody poops! Scat is a great way to learn about what animals have passed by…this is coyote scat in Big Hill Park on Dec. 6, 2020.

In programs, I love to find opportunities to discuss the importance of animal waste…

Still, the question lingers: why are you sending me pictures of poop!? The simplest of answers is that you want to know what kind of animal left the scat you found. So, I study it. It is a puzzle that I can’t look away from. I love a puzzle and a good mystery. I’m no expert on scat, but I do my best. Here is how I approach unknown scat:

  1. Color
  2. Size
  3. Shape 
  4. What’s on the outside
  5. Organization of pile

… It is part of the cycle of life and nothing is wasted.

And if I’m looking at scat in-person, 6) what is in the scat. But, I’m not able to see much of that from the pictures that you are sending me. Please note: if you are doing more than taking pictures of scat, please use gloves, wash hands, and be careful. Scat might be great for plants, insects, and decomposers, but it does carry bacteria that can be harmful to people.  

All kidding aside, I am happy to look at the scat that you find. As time permits, I will get back to you with my best guess. If you would like to attempt to identify the scat that you have found, here are a few resources to consider. 

  • iNaturalist (app)
  • ‎Critter Trax (app)
  • http://www.mynatureapps.com/ (website)
  • Scats and Tracks of North America (book)
  • Nature Circles® Track/Scat North American Mammals (cards)

Lastly, if you want to really entice and educate your friends and family about the wonders of scat at your next party (hopefully we can have those again soon), try a scat snack. There are many good recipes for edible scat on the internet, but I’ll let you foul your own search history looking for those.  

Until we can get together again, keep sending me pictures of the scat you find on your hiking adventures (or maybe a photo of your scat snack?).

Aaron Wilson
Program Director, WEC
info@weltycenter.org
608-361-1377