Poop On A Rock

[Old Grouse]

It happened again today. I often see a pile of poop from some small animal hung on a rock in the middle of the trail. I have to assume this is some sort of territory-marking behavior, since it obviously takes some effort for the animal to stack it up there. Is there a scatologist among us who can illuminate me?

[canoehead]

Coyotes, fox like to make there mark on a rock on the trail.

[Pedaling Fool]

I often see these strange turds on my driveway and walkway. They're single logs nearly an inch long and about 1/2" in diameter. It's been driving me crazy, but I think I finally figured out the culprit -- big toads. I've noticed they're all over the place at night and I've found many hiding under stuff during the day. It's the only thing I can figure, because I know they are prolific feeders.

P.S. Note I didn't use the term "pile" -- turd is a very apt description and the only way I can describe them.

[Many Walks]

Canoehead is right, coyote and fox will mark territory on a rock because it's hard for the other critters to miss it at that level. However, we did see a thru hiker dumping in the middle of the trail and took off when he spotted us. He had the trail name "Trail Sh____r" for a while till he yellow blazed ahead to outrun his new name.

[Old Grouse]

Thanks for the info. I'd say from the size I'm seeing that it's fox scat, since - extrapolating from my experience with dogs - the coyotes in this area ought to leave bigger piles.

[Elder]

Could also be, and very likely is Raccoon.
They call raccoon poop "humor" because they like to leave it on a rock in the trail.
Got pictures?

[txag]

Strangely enough my hiking partner and I noticed the same thing this year. A retired forest ranger told my buddy that these "splats" were bear poop. I even Googled "do bears **** on rocks" but got no definitive answer. Maybe there is a thesis or dissertation in this? It seems rather hard to do......

[Old Grouse]

Could also be, and very likely is Raccoon.
They call raccoon poop "humor" because they like to leave it on a rock in the trail.
Got pictures?

No, I didn't think to bother today, but I'm sure I'll have another chance. Heck, you've all seen them, right?

[Old Grouse]

You know, this internet thing may just catch on. Based on this http://terriermandotcom.blogspot.com...now-squat.html

I'd say I saw fox scat today.

[canoehead]

For some reason they like the open areas they use the trail to travel so it is a good place for them to take a dump and let the neighbors know it.

[Daydream Believer]

Horses, stallions in particular, will make manure piles to mark their territory.

[cevans]

most animals are territorial,,especially the Alpha Males of each breed,,and they all at sometime of the year,,mark their territories by urinating or defecating, or like whitetail deer family,,making scrapes and then urinating in them,,as well as for breeding purposes..

[General Fireball]

I have always been told that they poop on rocks or other wide open places because in those spots the breeze will pick up the scent and spread it around to the maximum degree--rather than hiding in grass or leaves . . .

[Hoop]

john gault - you're right, those are toad turds.

[leaftye]

I noticed these last winter...or rather, spring. On every flat rock that protruded from the snow, there laid a poop on top. Little turds. No tracks around them either.

[Old Grouse]

Say, maybe we should learn from the creatures of the forest and do the same. We could do away with trail registers that way.

[chiefiepoo]

Good book to be found in most NP book stores, "Who Pooped in the Park". is illustrated.

[No Belay]

You can tell when it gets to hot to hike. The forum topics go to CH!T.

TaTonka

[Sarcasm the elf]

Good book to be found in most NP book stores, "Who Pooped in the Park". is illustrated.

Just found the book on Amazon... and I was sure you were joking when I read the post above. It looks like there is a whole series of them, each written specifically for a different national park.

http://www.amazon.com/Gary-D.-Robson..._athr_dp_pel_1

I'm tempted to buy one to use as a bathroom reader.

[IceAge]

One of my deer hunting spots is on a rock ledge overlooking a small valley. To get to the overhang that I like to sit on, you must leap over at least 2 large cracks, each at least 3' wide and fight through thick brambles.

I got to my spot there last year and was amazed to find fox turds! Right on the very edge of the overhang, right where I sit! Why would they go to such lengths to crap in such an out of the way spot?