8 types of animal poop you’ll spot on the trail in Colorado
Taking a closer look at scat on the ground can be a great way of determining what type of wildlife is present in an area. Below, find a guide to identifying the animal droppings commonly encountered around Colorado.
Deer scat (Photo) Credit i7do (iStock)
1. Deer
Colorado has an abundance of elk and mule deer. Their droppings are similar, often small, dark-colored pellets that are dropped in a line along the trail or in a concentrated pile. Spotting deer or elk excrements indicate you may be near their bedding or feeding area. An elk’s pellets are larger than those left behind from a deer.
Photo Credit: i7do (iStock)
Bat guano (Photo) Credit Claudio_Armandi (iStock)
2. Bat
A bat’s ‘guano’ can sometimes sparkle when seen in the right environment due to bits of insect exoskeleton in that’s a part of their diets. It’s also worth noting that the guano often has a heavy ammonia smell. Beware – Bats’ guano can be dangerous because it can contain histoplasmosis. If disturbed, the fungus can release toxic fumes.
Photo Credit: Claudio_Armandi (iStock)
Coyote scat (Photo) Credit know1special (iStock)
3. Coyote
Often found in an obvious and visible spot, Coyotes intentionally leave excrement behind as a way to communicate with the rest of the pack. In winter, the scat is darker and could include fur and bone fragments mixed in. The fur often leads to twisted, rope-like remains. In summer, a coyote’s scat is lighter due to a typical uptick of berries and fruit in their diet.
Photo Credit: know1special (iStock)
Moose scat (Photo) Credit Adventure_Photo (iStock)
4. Moose
Moose in Colorado typically weigh 800 to 1,000 pounds, meaning they produce a lot of poop. Their scat can typically be identified as dark, patty-shaped droppings or can also be in the shape of large pellets.
Photo Credit: Adventure_Photo (iStock)
Wild cat feces (Photo) Credit gatito33 (iStock)
5. Mountain Lion
The scat of the mountain lion tends to be 5-inches-long, which is bigger than a bobcat or lynx. Mountain lion scat is segmented with blunt ends and can show the presence of bones and hair.
Photo Credit: gatito33 (iStock)
Fox droppings (Photo) Credit Matauw (iStock)
6. Fox
A fox’s droppings tend to be 2- to 3-inches-long with pointed ends. The colors range from light tan to dark brown, depending on the season that results in dietary changes. The scat can also show remains of bone and fur.
Photo Credit: Matauw (iStock)
Bear scat (Photo) Credit jjMiller11 (iStock)
7. Black Bear
Evidence of a black bear’s diet, which consists of animals, nuts, berries, grasses, insects, and aquatic life, can be seen in their scat. The excrements are typically large tubular piles.
Photo Credit: jjMiller11 (iStock)
Wild cat feces (Photo) Credit Alphotographic (iStock)
8. Lynx
The lynx population is estimated to be between 150 and 250 in Colorado, according to CPW, making this type of scat spotting rare. While it’s unlikely to spot scat from a lynx, it’s important to know the signs of a lynx or bobcat being present in a natural area. Their scat can be up to 4-inches long in segments with dull ends. Evidence of scattered leaf and soil that contains scat may indicate cat droppings.
Photo Credit: Alphotographic (iStock)
Owl pellet (Photo) Credit Justin Smith (iStock)
BONUS: Great Horned Owl
If you spot a large, unusual pellet, it may be left behind from a Great Horned Owl. This owl feeds on rabbits, rats, mice, and other rodents and mid-sized animals. Though the discovery of this pellet can point to the animal being present in the area, this pellet is different than scat as it is coughed up by the animal, not excreted. It can be easily recognized as it typically contains undigested bones and fur.
Photo Credit: Justin Smith (iStock)
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