Which animal species turds sink vs which species turds do not sink. Some scientists even study the physics of poop. ![]() When they need a specific sample, they simply search the enclosure for droppings with red or blue glitter! To ensure they are monitoring the correct dung pile, they mix a specific color of non-toxic glitter with the rhino’s meal. Zoos working with the critically endangered white rhino measure hormone levels in their poop to ensure successful mating. By analyzing animal poop scientists can measure things like stress and reproductive hormones, toxins in the environment, and the availability of food in the environment. DNA can be extracted from poop and individual animals can be identified and studied by scooping their poop. Scientists can determine not only which animals are present and what they are eating, but a detailed analysis of poop can also help scientists determine the health of the overall ecosystem. Piles of scat in nature are a wealth of information to biologists, naturalists, and researchers. The Sioux called bison dung “nik-nik” which refers to any bovine feces. The plains Indians used bison chips or dung for fuel when wood was scarce. Whether humans were the hunter or potentially the hunted, dung piles along the path alerted many astute hunters to danger or reward. By evaluating the warmth and freshness of a dung pile, a hunter could know how close the bear or elk might be. By paying attention to poop on the path, skilled hunters could know which animals were in the area. Cherry pit-laden bear poop (Image credit, Why Identify Wildlife Poop?Īnimal poop identification has been an important tool since the beginning of time. Although this bit of fun seems unnecessary when there are already so many word choices preserving and utilizing Latin is important to scientists of all stripes. Therefore, the chosen medical/scientific term for an experiment based on poop is in fimo. If fimus was good enough for Virgil, it should be good enough for current usage.
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