Non-herp Scat ID

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Natalie McNear
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Non-herp Scat ID

Post by Natalie McNear »

OK, not directly related to herps, but I found it while herping! I found this poop last year next to a trail going through chaparral, and I've been wondering what made it. Looks like it has lots of seeds/grain type stuff in it, so I was thinking it was raccoon at first glance, but then realized it was much too large. The pieces were 1.5-2" in diameter, bigger than the coyote and bobcat scat I normally see (those species are abundant in that area).

Any ideas? You can click on the image to view a larger version if necessary.

Image
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Daryl Eby
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Re: Non-herp Scat ID

Post by Daryl Eby »

Sorry Natalie. I usually bury my business but forgot my shovel. :oops:
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Andres
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Re: Non-herp Scat ID

Post by Andres »

Nice. That reminds me, I should recommend this book I've always been meaning to... recommend. As an opportunist, this is a great chance to link you to this fantastic publication with more poop photos than you can ever ask for.

Tracking & The Art of Seeing: How to Read Animal Tracks & Sign
http://www.amazon.com/Tracking-Art-Seei ... 948&sr=8-4


Now that I've done that. I'm afraid I'm too lazy to wander over to my bookshelf to track down my copy to help you ID your poop.

So, all I can do is venture a random guess without actually tasting it.


My guess?

Definitely simian. :thumb:

You're welcome. :mrgreen:
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herpseeker1978
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Re: Non-herp Scat ID

Post by herpseeker1978 »

bigfoot

Josh
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Andres
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Re: Non-herp Scat ID

Post by Andres »

herpseeker1978 wrote:bigfoot

Josh
See! :beer:
mikemike
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Re: Non-herp Scat ID

Post by mikemike »

Only you, Natalie. Only you.
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Natalie McNear
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Re: Non-herp Scat ID

Post by Natalie McNear »

This thread has more lulz than I ever could have anticipated. :lol:
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Andres
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Re: Non-herp Scat ID

Post by Andres »

Wait.. that's not poop. I think its a rubber boa. :thumb:
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klawnskale
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Re: Non-herp Scat ID

Post by klawnskale »

It could be bear. Did you notice any claw marks on nearby trees? Next time you go back to that area, check out the bark of trees near the trail. Bears eat anything: insects, seeds, berries, plant bulbs etc...
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M Wolverton
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Re: Non-herp Scat ID

Post by M Wolverton »

Looks like a bear log jam.
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Andres
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Re: Non-herp Scat ID

Post by Andres »

A bear with 1.5" turds? Must have been a Teddy Bear.

Natalie, I think that's Teddy Bear poo.
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Natalie McNear
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Re: Non-herp Scat ID

Post by Natalie McNear »

Didn't see any claw marks around, but there weren't many sizable trees around to be scratched. This photo was taken in Marin County though, and all bears were extirpated around here in the 19th century.

Andres - 1.5-2" diameter is a pretty big piece of crap! :?
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-EJ
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Re: Non-herp Scat ID

Post by -EJ »

There is actually a Peterson Field guide that covers this... Animal Tracks. Olaus Murie.

Couldn't find it in that.
joeysgreen
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Re: Non-herp Scat ID

Post by joeysgreen »

If it were next to a trail, I'm thinking it's a large dog. Humans tend to stray a little further from sight before dropping trousers.

Ian
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klawnskale
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Re: Non-herp Scat ID

Post by klawnskale »

[quote="Natalie McNear"]Didn't see any claw marks around, but there weren't many sizable trees around to be scratched. This photo was taken in Marin County though, and all bears were extirpated around here in the 19th century.


I don't know where you got your info, but this article states otherwise:
http://www.nps.gov/pore/naturescience/black_bears.htm

Grizzlies I know have been extirpated, but black bears remain steadfast and adaptable to human intrusion. I would suggest sending your photo to the Marin County offices of the NPS. They maybe able to positively ID it and if it is bear scat, this would be a significant account for their records. If you click on the pdf Map on the page, you will see there were 4 bear sightings reported in 2010 in the Marin area. I did a search on Google Images and found that bear scat is quite variable in its appearance probably because it's determined by what the bear has been ingesting. The one thing they do have in common is that they're big turds. I found this one image that looks very similar to yours. Check it out. lots of seeds!:
http://www.outintheboonies.com/Juniper_ ... r_scat.jpg
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-EJ
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Re: Non-herp Scat ID

Post by -EJ »

Black bear would be a good guess.
klawnskale wrote:
Natalie McNear wrote:Didn't see any claw marks around, but there weren't many sizable trees around to be scratched. This photo was taken in Marin County though, and all bears were extirpated around here in the 19th century.


I don't know where you got your info, but this article states otherwise:
http://www.nps.gov/pore/naturescience/black_bears.htm

Grizzlies I know have been extirpated, but black bears remain steadfast and adaptable to human intrusion. I would suggest sending your photo to the Marin County offices of the NPS. They maybe able to positively ID it and if it is bear scat, this would be a significant account for their records. If you click on the pdf Map on the page, you will see there were 4 bear sightings reported in 2010 in the Marin area.
jimoo742
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Re: Non-herp Scat ID

Post by jimoo742 »

Black bear have been documented in Marin Co over the past 8 or so years. Pt Reyes, Tomales Bay State Park, etc.
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reptilist
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Re: Non-herp Scat ID

Post by reptilist »

Burmese Python.
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-EJ
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Re: Non-herp Scat ID

Post by -EJ »

they don't eat grain.
reptilist wrote:Burmese Python.
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Berkeley Boone
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Re: Non-herp Scat ID

Post by Berkeley Boone »

It looks like black bear scat. I see 15-20 pounds of it a day.
And 1.5- 2 inches is a respecatble diameter. Could be a yearling animal.
--Berkeley
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reptilist
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Re: Non-herp Scat ID

Post by reptilist »

they don't eat grain.

reptilist wrote:
Burmese Python.
They are evolving too.
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spinifer
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Re: Non-herp Scat ID

Post by spinifer »

klawnskale wrote:It could be bear.

Did you see an TP nearby? Bears use Charmin. ;)
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