scatologist ?
- Thread starter guess
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Candidus
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I have read several books on scatology including a field guide with color plates of scat. I love the stuff. I think it is fascinating.
Although each scat tells a story there is just as much you don't know until you collect multiple samples, become very familiar with the geographical location you are studying, and bring them under a microscope for detailed study and analysis. Certain species can produce scat that can easily be confused with that of another. There are just too many variables. Even expert scatologists cannot determine, much of the time, the identity of an animal by any given scat. Consider your own scat, for example. I know when it comes to my dumps, like snowflakes, no two are alike.
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Although each scat tells a story there is just as much you don't know until you collect multiple samples, become very familiar with the geographical location you are studying, and bring them under a microscope for detailed study and analysis. Certain species can produce scat that can easily be confused with that of another. There are just too many variables. Even expert scatologists cannot determine, much of the time, the identity of an animal by any given scat. Consider your own scat, for example. I know when it comes to my dumps, like snowflakes, no two are alike.
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swampratxxx
New member
Guess,
Could you recomend a good book or website for identification
of most scat. I never used to pay attention to scat but have the last year now. I see what looks like cat scat but not sure of size difference between bobcat and lion. I know both are in the area(mogollon rim from forest lakes to heber. I'd like to learn more.
Could you recomend a good book or website for identification
of most scat. I never used to pay attention to scat but have the last year now. I see what looks like cat scat but not sure of size difference between bobcat and lion. I know both are in the area(mogollon rim from forest lakes to heber. I'd like to learn more.
guess
New member
actually I can not think of a good one!
but I can tell you this you would have no trouble telling the difference in bobcat and Mt. lion scat.It's like comparing mouse droppings to elephant droppings! Mt. lion scat is huge and full of hair.bobcat scat is relatively large for a small animal most being in the 6-8 inch range Mt.lion scat on the other hand is large as in feet! I found some once that was almost 3 feet in length.I may still have a picture some where if so I'll try and post it.
but I can tell you this you would have no trouble telling the difference in bobcat and Mt. lion scat.It's like comparing mouse droppings to elephant droppings! Mt. lion scat is huge and full of hair.bobcat scat is relatively large for a small animal most being in the 6-8 inch range Mt.lion scat on the other hand is large as in feet! I found some once that was almost 3 feet in length.I may still have a picture some where if so I'll try and post it.
CAT DADDY COLD
New member
Glen - I would be interested in seeing that picture.
I found something like that last year.....it was not real freash and looked to contain pig hair...Kelly
I found something like that last year.....it was not real freash and looked to contain pig hair...Kelly
guess
New member
there is nearly always hair in bobcat scat.
the 3 foot of scat was from a Mt. lion {lots of tracks near the area}and may have been more than one deposit as it was broken in 2 places.I actually bagged it up and had a biologist look at it,2 weeks later the landowner called and said there was a new deposit in the exact same spot.
the 3 foot of scat was from a Mt. lion {lots of tracks near the area}and may have been more than one deposit as it was broken in 2 places.I actually bagged it up and had a biologist look at it,2 weeks later the landowner called and said there was a new deposit in the exact same spot.
Don't take my word on it. After skinning your next bobcat, open it up and have a look around. I always recover the bladder contents and the last foot of bowel. In the stomach you will find red raw meat and very little hair. It is very easy at this time to inspect the last piece of scat too.
You simply can't go through life believing every 3 foot piece of poop you find, belongs to a lion.
Randy
You simply can't go through life believing every 3 foot piece of poop you find, belongs to a lion.
Randy
In my experience its a little more complex than always having lots of hair or not in lion scat. Having said that, a lot of cougar poop that I've seen does have hair in it in varying amounts, sometmes a lot. In the Pacific NW it is usually deer hair. Would be curious to hear Steve Craig's comments.
Bobcat often has some hair, or bits of feather sometimes, but it depends on what the cat ate. We have salmon runs when some animals, like bears, eat almost nothing else for several weeks. I assume bobcats eat a lot of salmon when they are in the creeks.
Animals eat so many different things that they produce a wide variety of scat at different times of year, so different in colour, size or texture that it has fooled me more than once. Sometimes in spring our deer leave miniature cow patties.
Also have found places where lions make scrapes (and often leave scat) and keep doing it in the same place over several years.
There sure is a lot I don't know but it is fun to keep learning.
Bobcat often has some hair, or bits of feather sometimes, but it depends on what the cat ate. We have salmon runs when some animals, like bears, eat almost nothing else for several weeks. I assume bobcats eat a lot of salmon when they are in the creeks.
Animals eat so many different things that they produce a wide variety of scat at different times of year, so different in colour, size or texture that it has fooled me more than once. Sometimes in spring our deer leave miniature cow patties.
Also have found places where lions make scrapes (and often leave scat) and keep doing it in the same place over several years.
There sure is a lot I don't know but it is fun to keep learning.