University of Illinois Extension

Identifying the Animal Causing a Problem

Scat

Canada Goose (<i>Branta Canadensis</i>) droppings. Photo courtesy of Laura Kammin, University of Illinois Extension. <p><a href="directory_show.cfm?species=canadagoose">Continue to Wildlife Directory</a></p>
Canada Goose
Canada Goose (<i>Branta Canadensis</i>) droppings. Photo courtesy of Laura Kammin, University of Illinois Extension. <p><a href="directory_show.cfm?species=canadagoose">Continue to Wildlife Directory</a></p>
Canada Goose
Notice the fur visible in the coyote (<i>Canis latrans</i>) scat. Butterflies are attracted to the minerals in scat. Photo courtesy of Bob Bluett, Illinois Department of Natural Resources. IDNR <p><a href="directory_show.cfm?species=coyote">Continue to Wildlife Directory</a></p>
Coyote
Coyote (<i>Canis latrans</i>) scat. Photo courtesy of Bob Bluett, Illinois Department of Natural Resources. <p><a href="directory_show.cfm?species=coyote">Continue to Wildlife Directory</a></p>
Coyote
This is an example of weathered coyote (<i>Canis latrans</i>) scat. Photo courtesy of Willowbrook Wildlife Center. <p><a href="directory_show.cfm?species=coyote">Continue to Wildlife Directory</a></p>
Coyote
An example of coyote (<i>Canis latrans</i>) scat. Photo courtesy of Willowbrook Wildlife Center. <p><a href="directory_show.cfm?species=coyote">Continue to Wildlife Directory</a></p>
Coyote
An example of fresher coyote (<i>Canis latrans</i>) scat. Photo courtesy of Willowbrook Wildlife Center. <p><a href="directory_show.cfm?species=coyote">Continue to Wildlife Directory</a></p>
Coyote
Coyotes (<i>Canis latrans</i>) often leave scat on trails as a way to mark their territory. Photo courtesy of Willowbrook Wildlife Center. <p><a href="directory_show.cfm?species=coyote">Continue to Wildlife Directory</a></p>
Coyote
An example of highly weathered coyote (<i>Canis latrans</i>) scat. Note that the scat mostly consists of fur at this stage. Photo courtesy of Willowbrook Wildlife Center. <p><a href="directory_show.cfm?species=coyote">Continue to Wildlife Directory</a></p>
Coyote
An example of fragmented coyote (<i>Canis latrans</i>) scat. Photo courtesy of Willowbrook Wildlife Center. <p><a href="directory_show.cfm?species=coyote">Continue to Wildlife Directory</a></p>
Coyote
White-tailed deer (<i>Odocoileus virginianus</i>) scat. Photo courtesy of Willowbrook Wildlife Center. <p><a href="directory_show.cfm?species=deer">Continue to Wildlife Directory</a></p>
White-tailed Deer
White-tailed deer (<i>Odocoileus virginianus</i>) droppings. Note the quarter as a size comparison. Photo courtesy of Erin Knowles, University of Illinois Extension. <p><a href="directory_show.cfm?species=deer">Continue to Wildlife Directory</a></p>
White-tailed Deer
Muskrat scat on a rock at water's edge. Photo courtesy of Dan Ludwig, Illinois Department of Natural Resources. <p><a href="directory_show.cfm?species=muskrat">Continue to Wildlife Directory</a></p>
Muskrat
Raccoons (<i>Procyon lotor</i>) often use the same latrine area. Photo courtesy of Willowbrook Wildlife Center. <p><a href="directory_show.cfm?species=raccoon">Continue to Wildlife Directory</a></p>
Raccoon
Weathered raccoon (<i>Procyon lotor</i>) scat. Note the seed husks. Photo courtesy of Willowbrook Wildlife Center. <p><a href="directory_show.cfm?species=raccoon">Continue to Wildlife Directory</a></p>
Raccoon
Raccoon (<i>Procyon lotor</i>) scat. Photo courtesy of Laura Kammin, University of Illinois Extension. <p><a href="directory_show.cfm?species=raccoon">Continue to Wildlife Directory</a></p>
Raccoon
Raccoon (<i>Procyon lotor</i>) scat is often blunt on the ends and the remains of seeds or other food items will be visible. <p><a href="directory_show.cfm?species=raccoon">Continue to Wildlife Directory</a></p>
Raccoon
River otter (<i>Lontra canadensis</i>) scat. Photo courtesy of Bob Bluett, Illinois Department of Natural Resources. <p><a href="directory_show.cfm?species=river_otter">Continue to Wildlife Directory</a></p>
River Otter
Droppings of eastern wild turkey (<i>Meleagris gallopavo silvestris</i>). Photo courtesy of Dave Shiley, University of Illinois Extension. <p><a href="directory_show.cfm?species=wild_turkey">Continue to Wildlife Directory</a></p>
Eastern Wild Turkey
Identify an Animal