Identifying animal scat can be a fascinating—and sometimes crucial—skill for hikers, wildlife enthusiasts, and anyone spending time outdoors. While coyote and dog poop might seem similar at first glance, there are key differences that, with a little practice, you can easily learn to distinguish. This guide will help you differentiate between the two, improving your wildlife identification skills and enhancing your outdoor experiences.
Key Differences Between Coyote and Dog Poop
While both coyotes and dogs are canids, leading to some similarities in their waste, several key factors can help differentiate their droppings:
1. Size and Shape:
- Coyote scat: Typically longer and thinner than dog feces, often measuring 6-10 inches long and less than an inch in diameter. The shape can be quite variable, sometimes twisted or curved.
- Dog scat: Varies greatly depending on breed and diet, but generally tends to be shorter, thicker, and more consistently shaped. Expect more variation in size depending on the size of the dog.
2. Color and Consistency:
- Coyote scat: Color varies depending on diet but often appears darker, ranging from dark brown to almost black. The consistency can range from firm and well-formed to loose and crumbly. You might find undigested bone fragments or fur in coyote scat.
- Dog scat: Color is highly variable based on the dog's food. It can range from light brown to dark brown and even black. The consistency typically depends on the dog's diet and digestion, but generally tends to be firmer than coyote scat.
3. Content:
- Coyote scat: Coyotes have a varied diet including rodents, rabbits, fruits, and insects. You are more likely to find undigested bone fragments, hair, and other organic matter in their scat.
- Dog scat: Content primarily depends on the dog's food. You'll likely find processed ingredients that are less easily recognizable than the wild components in coyote droppings.
4. Odor:
- Coyote scat: Typically has a stronger, mustier odor than dog feces due to the inclusion of wild diet components.
- Dog scat: The odor is influenced heavily by the dog's diet; however, it generally tends to be less pungent than coyote scat, unless the dog has eaten something particularly foul-smelling.
Location and Context:
While visual cues are important, the location of the scat provides crucial context. Finding scat in a remote, wild area significantly increases the likelihood of it being coyote feces. In contrast, finding similar-looking droppings in a residential area, park, or near a dog walking trail makes dog feces a more likely culprit.
Beyond Visual Identification:
If you're still unsure, consider seeking assistance from local wildlife experts or park rangers. They have extensive experience identifying animal scat and can offer more definitive answers based on location and surrounding environmental factors.
Conclusion:
While discerning between coyote and dog feces requires observation and consideration of several factors, understanding the key differences outlined above significantly improves your chances of correct identification. Remember to always practice safe and responsible wildlife viewing, keeping a respectful distance from any animal or their scat.
