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About Dana Krempels, Ph.D.
Expertise
I'm an evolutionary biologist with a passion for animals. Ask about natural history, behavior, ecology, evolution. PLEASE NOTE:

If you have found an "orphaned" wild animal or bird:
Please don't waste time asking questions on the internet, as the answers may come too late. DO NOT FEED THE ANIMAL, and DO NOT HANDLE IT unless it is in imminent danger. (Many wild "orphans" are not orphans at all!) If you are absolutely sure it is orphaned, keep it warm and quiet, and find a LICENSED WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR HERE. Don't try to raise the baby yourself. Many a well-intentioned rescuer will do more harm than good, especially with baby birds and baby rabbits.

I.D. OF MYSTERY ANIMALS
Without geographic location, time of day and habitat, I can't help. A clear picture is always best.

I.D. OF MYSTERY ANIMAL SOUNDS
It's impossible for me to I.D. an animal call without hearing it myself.

COMPARATIVE STRENGTHS
I'm not an expert on comparative strengths of different animals (more complicated than you might think!) nor bite forces.

FIGHTING ANIMALS
I refuse to answer "Which of these two animals--X or X--would win in a fight?".

These hypothetical matchups range from impossible (Grizzly Bears and Gorillas don't even occupy the same continent.) to ridiculous (Someone asked me "Who would win a fight between a Great White Shark and a tiger?").

The vast majority of animals--even the fierce and powerful--are not as warlike as Homo sapiens, and it's childish to project our aggressiveness onto them.

Experience
I have been the fortunate caregiver to a group of Black-tailed Jackrabbits rescued from the Miami International Airport, and not releasable in this area because they are not native. I also have rehabbed and released Eastern Cottontails, and am in contact with many very experienced wildlife rescuers who regularly handle injured or orphaned rabbits and hares.

Organizations
House Rabbit Society

Publications
Exotic DVM journal

Education/Credentials
I have a Ph.D. in Biology, with main areas of expertise in evolutionary biology, genetics, botany, and ecology.

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Veterinary Medicine > Wild Animals > wild animal droppings

Wild Animals - wild animal droppings

Expert: Dana Krempels, Ph.D. - 10/31/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello Dr. Krempels
I live in Southern California almost in the wilderness of Tujunga mountains. The big fire last month came to 100' of the house and since then I have noticed unusual droppings around the house especially when hiking in the mountains behind us. Today I found them in our yard as well. I am pretty sure they are not that of a deer, of which we have plentiful and with which I am familiar.
They are black, and the size and shape of regular peanuts. They are usually "dumped" in one place rather in a circular manner. Consider a dessert plate size filled with one layer of those droppings.
Can you help?
Thank you

ANSWER: Dear Sona,

Do you have jackrabbits in your area? They are common in some areas of the foothills of SoCal, but since you don't mention your elevation, I can't be sure they're up as high as you might be.

Also, if there have been deer foraging on burned plants and twigs, they could be ingesting some of the carbon from the fires, and this would turn their droppings a darker black, and might also cause them to be smaller (if there is less long plant fiber in their diet).

Many wild animals--including deer--will actually seek out charcoal to eat after a forest fire. They may just like the taste (who doesn't like barbecue?), but it also has health benefits, such as absorbing toxins and sort of "cleaning out" the intestine. So I'll bet if it's not jackrabbit poop you're seeing, it's just that of deer who are enjoying the aftermath of the fire.

Hope that helps.

Dana

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much for your explanation Dr Krempels. We live at 2400 feet. Does that eliminate jackrabbits because I haven't seen any of them around us? Could the fire have created havoc to their habitats?
As for the deer droppings, up till now they looked like dog poop, at least that's what I assumed. Could their form (together with color) have changed drastically by ingesting charcoal?
Thank you once again
Have a great day
Sona

Answer
Dear Sona,

You described the poops as looking like peanuts (do you mean shelled or unshelled?), so I imagined them being pellet-shaped. If you can take a picture of them and attach it, I'll be better able to make a guess about the "owner."

At 2400 feet, you probably do not have jackrabbits in your area. But if these are piles of fecal pellets, it's more likely to be an herbivore than something like a dog.

Dana

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