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.
Non-herp Scat ID
Moderator: Scott Waters
- Natalie McNear
- Posts: 1147
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 5:54 pm
- Location: Northern coast of California
Re: Non-herp Scat ID
Sorry Natalie. I usually bury my business but forgot my shovel.
Re: Non-herp Scat ID
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.
You're welcome.
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.
You're welcome.
- herpseeker1978
- Posts: 1139
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 8:05 am
- Location: Albuquerque
Re: Non-herp Scat ID
bigfoot
Josh
Josh
Re: Non-herp Scat ID
See!herpseeker1978 wrote:bigfoot
Josh
Re: Non-herp Scat ID
Only you, Natalie. Only you.
- Natalie McNear
- Posts: 1147
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 5:54 pm
- Location: Northern coast of California
Re: Non-herp Scat ID
This thread has more lulz than I ever could have anticipated.
Re: Non-herp Scat ID
Wait.. that's not poop. I think its a rubber boa.
- klawnskale
- Posts: 1211
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 7:09 pm
Re: Non-herp Scat ID
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...
- M Wolverton
- Posts: 417
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 2:46 pm
- Location: Seattle, WA
Re: Non-herp Scat ID
Looks like a bear log jam.
Re: Non-herp Scat ID
A bear with 1.5" turds? Must have been a Teddy Bear.
Natalie, I think that's Teddy Bear poo.
Natalie, I think that's Teddy Bear poo.
- Natalie McNear
- Posts: 1147
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 5:54 pm
- Location: Northern coast of California
Re: Non-herp Scat ID
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!
Andres - 1.5-2" diameter is a pretty big piece of crap!
Re: Non-herp Scat ID
There is actually a Peterson Field guide that covers this... Animal Tracks. Olaus Murie.
Couldn't find it in that.
Couldn't find it in that.
-
- Posts: 523
- Joined: June 11th, 2010, 9:09 pm
- Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Re: Non-herp Scat ID
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
Ian
- klawnskale
- Posts: 1211
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 7:09 pm
Re: Non-herp Scat ID
[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
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
Re: Non-herp Scat ID
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.
Re: Non-herp Scat ID
Black bear have been documented in Marin Co over the past 8 or so years. Pt Reyes, Tomales Bay State Park, etc.
Re: Non-herp Scat ID
Burmese Python.
Re: Non-herp Scat ID
they don't eat grain.
reptilist wrote:Burmese Python.
- Berkeley Boone
- Posts: 878
- Joined: June 8th, 2010, 4:02 am
Re: Non-herp Scat ID
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
And 1.5- 2 inches is a respecatble diameter. Could be a yearling animal.
--Berkeley
Re: Non-herp Scat ID
They are evolving too.they don't eat grain.
reptilist wrote:
Burmese Python.
Re: Non-herp Scat ID
klawnskale wrote:It could be bear.
Did you see an TP nearby? Bears use Charmin.