Animal feces come in various shapes and sizes, depending on the animal's diet and digestive system.
The smell of feces is determined by the food an animal eats and the bacteria in its gut, resulting in unique odors for different species.
Deep dives
Different shapes of animal feces
Animal feces come in various shapes, from pebbles to larger lumps. The shape is often related to the animal's diet and its digestive system. For example, rabbits produce pebble-like poos because they excrete vitamins and minerals separately from waste material. The size and shape can also vary within a species, with individual animals having their own specific shapes.
Smells and food
The smell of feces is primarily determined by the food an animal eats and the bacteria in its gut. Certain animals, like giant pandas, have feces that smell like tea due to their bamboo diet. The odor is influenced by the food and the gut bacteria present.
Human waste and shame
Humans often feel shame or embarrassment around their feces, but this is not prevalent in all species. Different animals have their own behaviors and attitudes towards their waste. For instance, some animals, like cats, bury their feces to conceal it, while others, such as ungulates like deer, may walk and defecate simultaneously. The reasons for these differences can be attributed to various factors, including evolutionary history and species-specific behaviors.
Yep. Here it is. A kid-friendly episode on… poop. Camel poop. Rhino poop. Dog poop. Cat poop. Your poop. The charming and informative Dr. Rachel Santymire -- aka Dr. Poop -- has a background in animal physiology and endocrinology and is elbow deep in dung as a research director at the Lincoln Park Zoo. Dr. Poop sits down with Alie to talk turds and why some critters like to chow down on their own (or others’), the stinkiest poopers, good smelling poop, how getting curious about poop can help save a species, and why the Lincoln Park Zoo has 17 freezers full of dookie. You’re welcome.