Who Pooped?

Photo: N. Sincero 2011, Scat Wrangler: S. Sumrall

This scat may be up to five times longer than it is wide and it may contain undigested insect parts. You can find it in western North America, near lakes or ponds. It is getting less common, however; ICUN Red List reports this species is probably in significant decline due to diseases such as chytridiomycosis.

Who pooped?

Leave a comment below with your guess. We will reveal the answer in the comments section on Wednesday, October 26th.

If you have your own natural history mystery (an unidentified animal, plant or other specimen), send a photo or two to naturalist@calacademy.org. We'll do our best to help out. Please include location, date and any other details that seem pertinent.

Sources:

ICUN Red List at http://www.iucnredlist.org/ (retrieved August 20th, 2011)

Scats and Tracks of the Pacific Coast, Including British Columbia: A Field Guide to the Signs of 70 Wildlife Species / James C. Halfpenny ; illustrated by Todd Telander. Helena, Mont. : Falcon, c1999. Naturalist Center Reference QL768 .H36 1999