Scat proves useful in wildlife investigation

Brayden, 10, and Madeline, 5, of Cape Girardeau try their luck at the Scat Challenge at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center. (Missouri Department of Conservation photo by Alicia Downing)

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Thursday's Nature Center at Night "Scat" event welcomed guests of all ages who came with a purpose: get the lowdown on some of southeast Missouri's native wildlife and what they leave behind.

"Although this is not your typical program topic, studying scat is a great way to let you know what kind of animals live in your area," said Greg Jacobs, a naturalist at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center. "This is especially true with nocturnal animals, and in many places where it is hard to find good tracks. Studying scat is especially important to wildlife biologists, as it helps them know what animals are in a given area, what the animal has been eating and if it's healthy."

Scat was just one aspect of the information shared at the event. Visitors viewed mounts of bobcats, grey foxes, striped skunks, minks, rabbits, opossums, beavers and raccoons along with a touchable pelt of each, their corresponding track imprints and their droppings.

After carefully examining the animals and their scat, guests were invited to try their hand at the "Scat Challenge", a scat identification quiz. They learned that winter is a great time to study what kind of wildlife live in a neighborhood because tracks and scat are more easily seen on snow.

Jacobs said this event is just one example of how the Missouri Department of Conservation works to help people discover nature. For more information on events at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center, call 573-290-5218 or go online to www.MissouriConservation.org.