5/8/2023 0 Comments Squirrel skatTheir scat is a little longer than cottontails' though, measuring up to 4.5 centimetres in length, and oval-shaped. Similar to the eastern cottontail rabbit, white-tailed deer poop is in pellet form, with a diameter of up to one centimetre. And in spring and summer, it eats mostly grasses. In winter, it eats leaves and twigs from trees and shrubs. They are herbivores and their diet is dependent on the season. This species can be found across Canada, east of the Rocky Mountains. White-tailed deer scat (Photo by Chase Wastesicoot) It is extremely dangerous to handle their feces, as it contains a parasitic roundworm. The ends of their scat are very blunt and are typically squared-off at both ends. It can be anywhere from red to yellow to black, depending on what was for dinner. Their scat, like their diet, varies greatly. Depending on their surroundings, racoons will eat a wide variety of things - from frogs, to the trash in the garbage bin outside your house.Īlthough they’re not picky when it comes to what they eat, if water is available nearby, they will often clean the food before eating it. Raccoons can be found in most parts of southern Canada. Their cashew-shaped scat can often be found in large piles near their den sites in rock piles, caves and hollow trees. This species loves salt and will eat materials (such as socks) salty from a day of hiking! Porcupines are herbivores, but make sure you keep your shoes on your feet next time you’re in the forest. They will occupy different types of forests across Canada, and can sometimes be seen sleeping in treetops. Porcupines aren’t picky when it comes to the kind of forests they live in. If you do catch a glimpse of evidence from this elusive pooper, then it will look similar to what it eats - wood! The small droppings have a texture resembling sawdust. Their scat is hard to see, since they usually poop in water. They are herbivores and will consume bark from trees, such as aspen, willow and birch, aquatic plants and grasses. Not too big, not too smallīeavers can be found across Canada, in lakes, ponds and rivers that have access to woody vegetation. Larger piles indicate that the species was eating or resting at the spot for a long time. This species' scat is formed into small, almost completely round pellets. Eastern cottontail rabbits are herbivores and have a diet that includes grasses, and, in winter, seedlings and bark from trees and shrubs. This species lives primarily in southern parts of Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick, and was introduced to BC in the 1950s and 60s. Red and grey squirrels’ scat is similar - smooth ovals measuring 0.5 to 1 centimetre in length.Įastern cottontail scat (Photo by Chase Wastesicoot) Grey squirrels prefer deciduous forests and have a range throughout southern Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.īoth are omnivorous and feed on seeds and berries, but will occasionally eat eggs, birds, mice and insects. The little guysĪ common forest dweller across Canada, the red squirrel can be found specifically in boreal coniferous and mixed forests. This is especially helpful with large mammals as their scat is typically bigger. Having a general idea of what species live in the area and what they eat is a good start to deciphering scat. Learn more with this mammal identification and tracking guide. Scat is a great way to identify a species and, in some cases, what that species ate before leaving a little present for you to identify. It’s important to note that you should never handle scat with your bare hands, as it could contain parasites or diseases that are dangerous to humans. We call it poop, but in the wild, it’s called scat.īear scat (Photo by Diana Bizecki Robson) The truth is, everybody poops, including the wildlife in our forests. These may be more glamorous ways of tracking animals, but, personally, there’s nothing like crouching down beside feces and yelling, “Look! Deer poop!” Just like us humans in our homes, they can leave behind middens (or in our case, crumbs), tracks (or in our case, footprints from muddy feet) or echoes from a call made to attract a mate (or in our case, a stern “conversation” over the crumbs and mud all over the house). Wildlife can leave behind many things while travelling through a habitat. One of my favourite pastimes is pointing out something to a friend or family member that they may have never noticed before, especially something left behind by species living in the area. Wildlife tracking is one of the many fun nature activities you can take part in. Fresh coyote scat chock full of deer hair (Photo by Mark Stabb/NCC staff)
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