Spraint
Encyclopedia
Spraint or scat is the dung
of the otter
.
Spraints are typically identified by smell and are known for their distinct aromas, the smell of which has been described as ranging from freshly mown hay to putrefied fish.
The European otter
's spraints are black and slimy, 3 to 10 cm ( 1 to 4 inches) long and deposited in groups of up to four in prominent locations near water. They contain scales, shells and bones of water creatures. Because of the decline of otters in Britain, several surveys have been made to record the distribution of the animal, usually by recording the presence of spraint.
Further, there is some evidence that spraint density is correlated with otter density.
Feces
Feces, faeces, or fæces is a waste product from an animal's digestive tract expelled through the anus or cloaca during defecation.-Etymology:...
of the otter
Otter
The Otters are twelve species of semi-aquatic mammals which feed on fish and shellfish, and also other invertebrates, amphibians, birds and small mammals....
.
Spraints are typically identified by smell and are known for their distinct aromas, the smell of which has been described as ranging from freshly mown hay to putrefied fish.
The European otter
European Otter
The European Otter , also known as the Eurasian otter, Eurasian river otter, common otter and Old World otter, is a European and Asian member of the Lutrinae or otter subfamily, and is typical of freshwater otters....
's spraints are black and slimy, 3 to 10 cm ( 1 to 4 inches) long and deposited in groups of up to four in prominent locations near water. They contain scales, shells and bones of water creatures. Because of the decline of otters in Britain, several surveys have been made to record the distribution of the animal, usually by recording the presence of spraint.
Further, there is some evidence that spraint density is correlated with otter density.