Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi Folks,
I live in southeastern North Carolina. Sometimes as I'm hiking around the marshes here I see feces and wonder to myself (nervously) whether or not it is alligator waste. I Googled to see if I could find any images of alligator waste. I found a lot of strange images, but not what I was looking for. 8-)
Can anyone point me to websites with the correct information? Also, is there a technical term for alligator fecal matter (scat?)?

Thanks!

DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE WARNING

The Louisiana State Department of Fish and Wildlife is advising hikers, hunters, fishermen, and golfers to take extra precautions and keep alert for alligators while in St. Tammany, Jefferson & Orleans Parish.

They advise people to wear noise-producing devices such as "little bells" on their clothing to alert, but not startle the alligators, unexpectedly.

They also advise the carrying of "pepper spray" in case of an encounter with an alligator. It's also a good idea to watch for fresh signs of alligator activity and be able to recognize the difference between young alligator and adult alligator droppings.

Young alligator droppings are small, contain fish bones and possibly bird feathers.
Adult alligators droppings have little bells in them and smell like pepper.

My gator is little- 1 1/2yo, but he always relieves himself in the water. I'd be interested to hear from more experienced keepers, but isn't this par for the course?

Primarily they do it in the water, but I have seen it on land in Shark Valley. SV is part of the Everglades National Park system and consists of a 7 mile paved one lane road out to a observation tower and a 8 mile winding one lane back to the start. Alligators frequently lay on the asphault and their stains are all over the road. Typically its a dinner plate sized white to yellow stain, but sometimes it will be a solid depending on diet of course.

N/P

Chris

>>Primarily they do it in the water, but I have seen it on land in Shark Valley. SV is part of the Everglades National Park system and consists of a 7 mile paved one lane road out to a observation tower and a 8 mile winding one lane back to the start. Alligators frequently lay on the asphault and their stains are all over the road. Typically its a dinner plate sized white to yellow stain, but sometimes it will be a solid depending on diet of course.
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My Website
www.herpfanatic.com

Yes it is, hows it going?

>>Young alligator droppings are small, contain fish bones and possibly bird feathers.
>>Adult alligators droppings have little bells in them and smell like pepper.

It has been a while Bill, so I will say it now. I adore you.
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Cindy
PHFaust

Email Cindy

Land of the Outcasts!

Hi,

In my experience, you most likely won't find alligator "scat" on land. My alligators have always defecated in the water. While I'm not saying that it's impossible for it to be alligator "scat", I highly doubt it.

Regards,

Chris

>>Hi Folks,
>>I live in southeastern North Carolina. Sometimes as I'm hiking around the marshes here I see feces and wonder to myself (nervously) whether or not it is alligator waste. I Googled to see if I could find any images of alligator waste. I found a lot of strange images, but not what I was looking for. 8-)
>>Can anyone point me to websites with the correct information? Also, is there a technical term for alligator fecal matter (scat?)?
>>
>>Thanks!
-----
My Website
www.herpfanatic.com

Crocodilian fecal matter when fresh is a dark chalk color and cylindrical in shape. Defecation usually occurs in water so its rare to see. Having owned a large croc farm at one time I saw it more frequently than others and of course am an expert in cleaning it....TC

my gators always do it in water, but my dwarf caiman does in land, and it looks lije just like dogs feces...