|
|
Post by Tangaroa on Sept 19, 2016 9:54:32 GMT
Hi - I found this while surveying for water voles. It was quite old and did not have a distinct smell. Mainly fur and small bones, I couldnt see any evidence of fish scales but they might have washed away. It doesnt for the general shape of a mink scat but seems to have too much fur for an otter spraint? Any ideas?  |
|
|
|
Post by Tringa on Sept 20, 2016 6:52:43 GMT
Hello Tangaroa, of the two options I'd be inclined towards mink(though I am no expert), given the amount of fur. You mentioned surveying for water voles; could they, unfortunately, be the source of the fur?
Dave
|
|
|
|
Post by accipiter on Sept 20, 2016 15:57:11 GMT
Hmm Dave’s’ thinking on the subject could well be right, but equally could they not be from a fox, as I have seen something like your example before in places simply miles from any water which in the end did turn out to be old fox droppings, I am not saying yours is too of course. Incidentally not all fox dropping finish in a “twisted tail” and just like bird pellets they do not necessarily have to look like the typical pellet in size, shape, texture, and content in “every case,” but rather it very much depends on what it has been eating. Or in some cases the animal’s health at the time, (if you have ever seen a badger’s latrine when it has been eating fruit or worms you will also know what I mean.) Of course your example is made even more difficult by the fact these are old and could well have been scatted by the four winds as well if you take my meaning. Note For what it is worth even owl pellets look like this when pulled apart. But here are some examples of mink, fox, otter, to see what I mean about the point I made (click on thumb nail print to enlarge the view, or if these links do not work just google mink scat and fox droppings Mink Scat www.google.co.uk/search?q=mink+scat&nord=1&biw=1366&bih=638&site=webhp&tbm=isch&imgil=88JgV7Qta21N1M%253A%253Bg1dJIu2A-0TdsM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fbobarnebeck.com%25252Fmink.htm&source=iu&pf=m&fir=88JgV7Qta21N1M%253A%252Cg1dJIu2A-0TdsM%252C_&usg=__nud8xxnrTtWxGdKfAfQDtHu71oo%3D&ved=0ahUKEwiqlo2V5Z3PAhWLCcAKHX7hA5sQyjcIJw&ei=kRbhV-qJNYuTgAb-wo_YCQ#nord=1&tbm=isch&q=otter+spraintFox Droppings www.google.co.uk/search?q=fox+droppings&rlz=1C2ASUT_enGB387&biw=1366&bih=638&site=webhp&tbm=isch&imgil=kmIiobq5LLsnwM%253A%253BAHs_JzQbLiQkYM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.downthelane.net%25252Fgarden-wildlife%25252Fidentifying-animal-droppings.php&source=iu&pf=m&fir=kmIiobq5LLsnwM%253A%252CAHs_JzQbLiQkYM%252C_&usg=__nHsUSShy5u-Q0_O9RF0k2acSAGk%3D&ved=0ahUKEwi8kaal7Z3PAhXMAMAKHe_pAsAQyjcIJw&ei=Fx_hV_ypE8yBgAbv04uADA#imgrc=kmIiobq5LLsnwM%3ANote But why not wait and see what comes along or what is in your area which is the approach I always take when I need an answer to an important question, particularly if it is part of one’s study. Of course this may well take some time but if you want to absolutely sure on the correct answer this is by far the best route to take as I have found out in the past if you take my meaning. Alan |
|
|
|
Post by shirl100 on Sept 20, 2016 17:45:49 GMT
Always a challenge! Looking at the volume of fur and bone I would be going for either fox or mink, not otter . Old fox scats can become quite washed out and leave only the fur and bones, so maybe that's what it is?
|
|
|
|
Post by Tangaroa on Sept 21, 2016 15:13:30 GMT
Thanks for your responses.
It was found on a rock in the middle of a stream. I think it is unlikely that a fox would have ventured onto the rock because of its location. I am inclined to go with mink to be honest, just because of the amount of fur.
|
|
|
|
Post by accipiter on Sept 21, 2016 15:33:25 GMT
Thanks for your responses. It was found on a rock in the middle of a stream. I think it is unlikely that a fox would have ventured onto the rock because of its location. I am inclined to go with mink to be honest, just because of the amount of fur. Foxes can swim very well indeed and will often patrol river banks, swim out to small islands and scrapes to look for food, such as young chicks of nesting birds. Alan |
|
