mammalian scats identification via excrement!!!!

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Mammalian Scats Identification via Excrement!!!!

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Page 1: Mammalian Scats Identification via Excrement!!!!

Mammalian Scats

Identification via Excrement!!!!

Page 2: Mammalian Scats Identification via Excrement!!!!

Optional Terminology

• Feces• Excrement• Pellets• Droppings• Poop• The list could

go on and on….

Page 3: Mammalian Scats Identification via Excrement!!!!

An Important Mammalian ID Tool

• Mammals versus Birds….• Mammals separate waste into solid

and liquid• Birds and some reptiles void 1

substance

Page 4: Mammalian Scats Identification via Excrement!!!!

Full of Useful Information…• It can be smelly, gross, disease ridden…BUT!• Is filled with great ID information:1. Diet:

– Hairs, feathers, bones, insect limbs and shells, fruit skins, seeds

2. Population size/location of the species

3. DNA Information4. Health of the animal: parasites

Page 5: Mammalian Scats Identification via Excrement!!!!

Non-invasive Method of Data Collection:

Page 6: Mammalian Scats Identification via Excrement!!!!

Black Rhino: Critically Endangered

Page 7: Mammalian Scats Identification via Excrement!!!!

How do Scientists Utilize Scat?

Conservation Biology Research

Plant Focused Research

University of Washington Elephant Research

Page 8: Mammalian Scats Identification via Excrement!!!!
Page 9: Mammalian Scats Identification via Excrement!!!!

LimitationsTremendous variety due to:

•Seasonal food availability•Age and health of animal•Other stresses on the animal

Page 10: Mammalian Scats Identification via Excrement!!!!

General Characteristics

• Twists:• Weasels-extremely twisted and

narrow

• Canine family-sometimes twisted

Page 11: Mammalian Scats Identification via Excrement!!!!

Animals without Twists…

• Cats (feline)

• Bears

• Raccoons

Page 12: Mammalian Scats Identification via Excrement!!!!

Segmented???

• Cats usually have segmented scats

• Canine and Weasels tend to be 1 cord

Bobcat Wolf

Page 13: Mammalian Scats Identification via Excrement!!!!

Blunt versus Tapered????

• Canines tend to have 1 or more tapered ends

• Weasels—long and thin tapered ends• Blunt ends—cats, raccoons, bears

Page 14: Mammalian Scats Identification via Excrement!!!!

Given those Characteristics…..GREAT VARIABILITY

Page 15: Mammalian Scats Identification via Excrement!!!!

NAME THAT SCAT! BLACK BEAR

Page 16: Mammalian Scats Identification via Excrement!!!!
Page 17: Mammalian Scats Identification via Excrement!!!!

NAME THAT SCAT!

• DEER

Page 18: Mammalian Scats Identification via Excrement!!!!

NAME THAT SCAT!

• RABBIT

Page 19: Mammalian Scats Identification via Excrement!!!!

Deer vs. Rabbit

Page 20: Mammalian Scats Identification via Excrement!!!!

NAME THAT SCAT!

COYOTE

Page 21: Mammalian Scats Identification via Excrement!!!!

NAME THAT SCAT!

BOBCAT

•Scratch

Marks

Page 22: Mammalian Scats Identification via Excrement!!!!

NAME THAT SCAT!

• MOUSE

Page 23: Mammalian Scats Identification via Excrement!!!!
Page 24: Mammalian Scats Identification via Excrement!!!!

REMEMBER….•As tempting as is may be….If you find scat, never pick it up!

•Animals carry diseases that might be passed through their feces.

Page 25: Mammalian Scats Identification via Excrement!!!!
Page 26: Mammalian Scats Identification via Excrement!!!!

FYI---BE PREPARED!!!Fri Dec 12th: High 39° Low 31° Partly CloudyChance of rain:0% Wind: SE at 11 mphFriday….we will go outside and attempt to

track and locate scat for mammals on campus!!!

Bring coats, hats, gloves, appropriate shoes etc…..