HikeArizona.COM

So, I was on the Scenic Trail in MMRP this weekend, and for some reason started counting poops. (Maybe because I am part German.) I did not see any doggie walkers, but kept seeing these poops that looked like they came from a medium sized dog. Then, at one point, I saw a pile about a yard off the trail, that looked the same as the others, except like three dogs had gone there. That got me thinking that maybe what I saw was not dog poops, but coyote poops. Anyway, what pointers do you have for poop identification?

Found this on the walkway beside our house, about 20 feet from our trash cans. The cans showed no sign of disturbance, nor did any of our trees, shrubbery or gardening stuff. Poop appeared to be all grass, with the exception of some obviously shiny silver bits. (Either aluminum foil, or perhaps bits of food wrapper.) Pile is about four inches wide. Definitely not cat or dog. I'm thinking raccoon, but will defer to any animalologists ...

@kingsnake
I'm betting it's not a Raccoon. They like riparian areas and lakes. There have been reports of Raccoons in Phoenix but all of the ones I found seem to be in the far South East Valley. Have you checked for prints in your yard or at the lake in the near by golf course? Here's a link, http://www.wildlife-removal.com/raccoonpoop.html , There are similarities but I bet it's Coyote poop.
Maybe we can talk Joe into a new feature on HAZ called "Scat Chat"

It looks alot like our desert tortoise poop.
The stuff I tend to step in when it's the freshest and I'm the barest footest.

Coyotes do occasionally show up in our yard, but I was under the impression their scat was drier and furrier (due to eating small critters), rather than moist & grassy. No prints: Our yard is either brick and gravel ...

Ya Yote poo is a mixed bag of whatever they run across.
I'm guessing by the size that you may have a spicy (fer@l)) African Spur tortise wandering loose in your hood.
They were quite popular a few years ago, but are now reaching an un-fun size.

I didn't even think of Tortoise! I really should have since I have THREE. One Desert Tortoise, one Russian Tortoise and one Bell's Hinge Back. It's just that they are on the small side and their scat is small too.

Our son had an African Spur....Brutal...who btw is somewhere on Youtube doing disgusting things to a truck hood.
Well his poo is the size of livestock but still cylindrical.

@kingsnake
@beterarcher
@Alston Neal
Ok, first, there are Raccoons all over the Valley....From both personal and professional experience I can tell you that there are Raccoons in Moon Valley, Arrowhead Lake Area, Gilbert Riparian Preserve and Sunnyslope (approximately 15th Ave/North of Cactus)...Probably in more spots than that, but I have not had the privilege...

I have picked up many a African Spur Tortoise turd...This is not Tortoise feces....

Most likely Canine...My bet, just a plain old dog....All three dogs living with me have taken an extreme liking to the brand new grass we've been nurturing from seed and I have been picking up poop like what is pictured, every day for the last two weeks..... ;)

@Outdoor Lover
well,with your work background, You would know thanks Pam.

beterarcher wrote:@Outdoor Lover
well,with your work background, You would know thanks Pam.

kingsnake wrote:

beterarcher wrote:@Outdoor Lover
well,with your work background, You would know thanks Pam.

There are just so many comments that come to mind...where to start?

@beterarcher
@azbackpackr
@kingsnake
It seems like either professionally or personally, I've been involved in some kind of s*** just about my entire life.....

Meh, you don't know Jack......