THE DAILY POO - The Thread for Scat Enthusiasts

Dear Friends,

After having posted two threads featuring pictures of animal droppings, and having observed the great enthusiasm that feces tends to inspire on this board, I have deemed this a subject worthy of an ongoing thread.

Thus, I wish to institute The Daily Poo - The Thread for Scat Enthusiasts.

This can be a place to post pictures of scat for identification, pontification, authentication, and discussification.

To the outside world, animal droppings are a nuisance, something to be ignored or gotten rid of. But in the special world of Wilderness Survival Forums, poo is a thing of wonder and inspiration. Let's face it, something might be wrong with us!

I wish to inaugurate The Daily Poo with my submission, photographed on my walking trail this morning. For some reason, my trail attracts quite a lot of poo.
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http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2549/...595599.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3567/...bd51d9.jpg?v=0

Yes, I had to use the Chapstik for scale again. I need to carry a pocket ruler or something.

This poo was pretty soft (and pretty fresh). I could not identify any contents that might give a clue as to what the animal could have been eating - no hair, no seeds, no nuthin', just brown poo. I dilligently searched for tracks or scrapings, but found none. My trail has become popular with the deer and other animals, so the prints of small animals tend to be obscured by the passing of larger animals. This much I could tell - its hindquarters were pointed east when it deposited its bowels.

At first I thought it was from a cat. The size in shape is pretty close. But then I considered the site. Cats would not usually poop in the middle of a trail. Furthermore, cats make at least some effort (usually) to cover their poop with dirt, debris, etc. There was no evidence at all of scraping, or any attempt to cover this poo.

I can't rule out dog poo, except that it is awfully small for a dog. There are stray dogs around, but they are all much too big to make such a small poo.

Maybe a racoon? Or a possum? I am starting to think I need to find Peterson's Field guide to Poop.

Okay, Scat Enthusiasts, what is it?

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PS - The other threads featuring poo can be found at the links below:
http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...ead.php?t=7535
http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...ead.php?t=7505

A big melted chocolate chip...
Or maybe a small furbearer, weasel?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bibow

A big melted chocolate chip...
Or maybe a small furbearer, weasel?

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Long-tailed weasels are supposed to range in this area, but I never once seen one, or any tracks. I have seen minks in nearby counties.

I would bet that it is a mink or weasel, just because you can't see them doesn't mean their not there. It's definately not chipmunk or squirrel though, it is too big.

Can anyone identify THIS one?

http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/skatole/MrHankey.jpg

Check for other signs in the area, the scat alone isn't going to tell you enough, tracks, scratches, broken branches or shrubs, etcetera. THere's something to be said for the fact that it's on the trail, how wide is the trail? Most animals will look for some privacy, it has more to do than modesty. it's a time that they're very vulnerable. Of course, you keep insisting that it's your trail and they're the ones using it for a facility, so....

The trail is about 3' wide.

That is a good point about it being a vulnerable time for animals. Apparently, this one wasn't too concerned (or wasn't too bright), for this was a rather open part of the woods.

As for it being "my trail" you've got a point - if they are poopin' there, it might be their trail!

I just think if it's a wide and well used trail chances are you're looking at droppings from animals that are comfortable around people. Dogs and cats. They come in various sizes so they're gonna leave various sized doo-doos.

and Ken--I don't want to try to identify that, but based on the hat, some kind of holiday turd?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by trax

.....and Ken--I don't want to try to identify that, but based on the hat, some kind of holiday turd?

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Ahem. That's Mr. Hanky.

You're naming turds? That's just sick!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ken

Ahem. That's Mr. Hanky.

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Tom Hanky? (I just had to ask...)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by crashdive123

You're naming turds? That's just sick!

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I didn't name Mr. Hanky. :sneaky2: Trey Parker and Matt Stone did. :clap:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by preachtheWORD

Long-tailed weasels are supposed to range in this area, but I never once seen one, or any tracks. I have seen minks in nearby counties.

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now ya got me confused, yesterday i mentioned on scat pic looked like it was from the mustela family and you said no weasel or mink around cuz no water, fair enough as i do not know your area, but now today you say that there are mustela in your area? very confusing to me

It could be cat. Remember that dogs have masters and cats have staff. So some of the staff may have been negligent in covering it. It is about the right size. My real guess would be fox or possum.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wareagle69

now ya got me confused, yesterday i mentioned on scat pic looked like it was from the mustela family and you said no weasel or mink around cuz no water, fair enough as i do not know your area, but now today you say that there are mustela in your area? very confusing to me

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Maps produced by the fish and wildlife service show that the long-tailed weasel is supposed to range over my part of the country - southwestern Virginia.

However, never in my life have I encountered a weasel in these parts, and I have never heard any account of weasels from any local people.

It is correct that there is no major water, nothing more than a trickle, for at least 1.5 miles from where the poo was found. This is a dry slope. It seems an unlikely location for the typically water-loving mustela family.

The weasel (if it is around here) could probably do okay without much water, being more of a predator on small mammals.

I must say, it cracks me up how folks on here (myself included) can find so much to say and to ponder about poo! I already have some new poo for tommorrow's feature!

well to be quite frank i am a poo professional, dare i say expert( lots of folks throwing that word around) but for the last almost 14 years that has been my job, other wise known as a plumber, but yes scat is quite facinating to me, it can tell you so much, ie: you are out in the bush in a new area and stumble across some poo and find berrie seeds in it, at least you know there are some berries close by course so might the bear be but anywho just another part of the puzzle for me to put together, also you mentioned large body of water, i will have to ask my wife and a biologist prof whom i am having coffee with today how much water a mink needs to survive will let ya know this evening

well, green would suggest a plant diet. brown and smooth with no undigested bone or hair would suggest to me a diet of soft insects.so the poo of a skunk would be my "tenetive" identification..

Today's Poo du Jour is Bird Turds.

The larger animals must have gotten wind that I have been exposing their feces on the internet and did not poop along the trail today. But the birds apparently didn't get the memo.

Bird Poo is not quite as exciting as that of larger mammals, but it is still interesting. Some might consider it to be a greater challenge. Anybody can tell you it is bird poo, but it takes someone who really "knows their poo" to tell you what kind of bird dropped it.

Without further adieu, the Poo


Number One

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2582/...c4d110.jpg?v=0

Lots of little orange seeds in this one.



Number Two (They're all really number two)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2523/...75e7f8.jpg?v=0

This one had little bits of beetle in it.



Number Three

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3545/...e77bd5.jpg?v=0

This had nothing identifiable in it.


Number Four

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2429/...4d81d0.jpg?v=0

Little purple seeds in it.


Bonus Poo

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/...g?v=1246639428

This is NOT bird poo. Looks like some kind of larger rodent, perhaps a groundhog. There was just this single pellet all by itself.




So now it is time for Scat Enthusiasts to step up and sort out this poo.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3567/...bd51d9.jpg?v=0

WarEagle, I think you have convinced me. After further study, I strongly suspect this to be the scat of a long-tailed weasel.

The shape and size perfectly matches my Tom Brown book, anyway. Also, this is definitly not poo from a herbivorous animal.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ken

Can anyone identify THIS one?

http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/skatole/MrHankey.jpg

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nice sighting of Mr. Hinky ken....:clap:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by preachtheWORD

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3567/...bd51d9.jpg?v=0

WarEagle, I think you have convinced me. After further study, I strongly suspect this to be the scat of a long-tailed weasel.

The shape and size perfectly matches my Tom Brown book, anyway. Also, this is definitly not poo from a herbivorous animal.

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Well, I'm certainly not going to try to second guess WarEagle when it comes to recognizing a pile of crap.

I'm a poo expert. Anyone with a kid is.... :innocent:

Uh, not true. I did the puke. My wife did the poo. It was a match made in heaven.

We had a visitor at the Rhode Island house over the weekend. Fox or coyote, can't tell which. Plenty of both around here. It left its calling card on the side of the house about 5' from the bedroom window.

That'll teach you to put a bedroom window right smack dab in the middle of their bathroom.

And it's quite possible the poor fox just happened to be walking by, looked in the window, saw Ken naked and, well, you know the outcome.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by crashdive123

That'll teach you to put a bedroom window right smack dab in the middle of their bathroom.

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My 11 year old beagle took off after a fox last weekend. I couldn't believe that he could get over the 4' high stone wall. The 8 year old beagle and the 7 year old lab just watched him go. I believe that they were actually laughing at both of us - me and the older beagle - when I had to chase after him (leash was in the house) and CARRY that fat ba$tard a quarter of a mile and over the wall back to the house.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rick

And it's quite possible the poor fox just happened to be walking by, looked in the window, saw Ken naked and, well, you know the outcome.

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He would have had pretty good vision. I was in Long Island, N.Y.

Today's Poo - June 7, 2009

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2556/...cdb3e5.jpg?v=0

This poo was full of little undigested bits of corn. There is a lot of corn planted around these parts, but none of it is even near ripe. Evidently this critter is raiding some local farmer's store of animal feed.

My first guess is racoon, especially given all the corn. A possum would be my second guess.

What think ye?

PTW - since there is so much activity on that trail, have you thought about setting up a trail camera?

And you may want to close your windows, at home.
It appears them critters have been eatin' chapstick and loose change!:smash::innocent:

We determined that the change was being left for the "facility attendant" didn't we? I'd guess maybe the chapstick might have been for...ease of passage?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 2dumb

And you may want to close your windows, at home.
It appears them critters have been eatin' chapstick and loose change!

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Oh my gosh, that was funny!!!!!!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by crashdive123

PTW - since there is so much activity on that trail, have you thought about setting up a trail camera?

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I would absolutely love to set up a trail camera! Now, if one of you kind gentlemen would donate one to me I will hastily set it up! :tongue_smilie: Seriously though, If I could afford one, I would definitely set one up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 2dumb2kwit

And you may want to close your windows, at home.
It appears them critters have been eatin' chapstick and loose change!:smash::innocent:

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I had to laugh at this one! I gotta put something there for a scale reference. I'm married and have two kids - money is so tight just coming up with that quarter was a challenge! (kidding - mostly) No, I do need to carry a small ruler or other measuring device to use for scale. Do you guys have any suggestions?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by trax

We determined that the change was being left for the "facility attendant" didn't we? I'd guess maybe the chapstick might have been for...ease of passage?

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I ought to be compensated at least a little for painstakingly building this trail for the wildlife to poop in, and for painstakingly cataloging and removing their poo!
As for "ease of passage," it seems that the wildlife in these parts are not affected by constipation. Having considered your statement, I will however, from now on, throw up in my mouth a little every time I use chapstik. :pinch:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by preachtheWORD

No, I do need to carry a small ruler or other measuring device to use for scale. Do you guys have any suggestions?

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I know! I know! How about a small ruler? :innocent:

The average hand span from thumb across is 6" for a man. That's a good reference and you won't leave it at home and will have a "sample" to study at your leisure.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ken

I know! I know! How about a small ruler? :innocent:

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Why didn't I think of that! :innocent:
Actually, I thought someone might have some idea more creative than my ruler idea. I thought the quarter was pretty good on short notice.

Since this is a Poo identification thread, does anyone actually have an opinion on the Poo du Jour?

Although the jokes have actually been pretty funny

Quote:

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Originally Posted by preachtheWORD

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2556/...cdb3e5.jpg?v=0

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The Poo of the Day for July 8, 2009


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2661/...b20f9d.jpg?v=0

Above: An overhead view of the whole poo. The ruler is about 7 inches long.

Below: A closeup on part of the poo:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/...d5ce3e.jpg?v=0


I am not sure the poo is so spread out like that. It could be the poo of two animals, or maybe the animal wanted to shift positions mid-poo, or maybe the animal was disturbed and had to restart.

It looks like this critter was eating green apples. The poo was full of what looked like apple seeds, and there was a chunk or two of what looked like apple. If Bear Grylls had been there he would have picked the apple out of the poo and ate it.

Now for the fun part - what left the poo? Any guesses?

If Bear Grylls had been there along with his camera crew, booking agent, publicist, personal valet, administrative assistant, grip, key grip, stunt doubles, make-up crew, script advisor, producer and director ---- the animals would have all been frightened away and left their poo someplace else. Then they would have had to substitue a Baby Ruth Bar for the poo, and well, you can guess what happened next.