Scat Trail
(Free Sample Interactive)

Click above to launch the activity, or click to the right to download the plug-in.

How do scientist analyze scats? The image on the left shows jaguar scat found in Bolivia. In order to analyze this scat, scientists first dry it to destroy parasites, then soak it in water for a few days, and then pass it through a sieve and wash it, so that the objects in the scat remain and can be examined.

Most scat analyses focus on hair, although teeth and bones are also identified, but these are found in smaller amounts. (Which makes sense: Who wants to swallow a bone?)