Spraint is the dung of the otter.
Spraints are typically identified by smell and are known for their distinct odors, the smell of which has been described as ranging from freshly mown hay to putrefied fish. The Eurasian otter's spraints are black and slimy, 3–10 cm (1–4 in) 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.
References
- Matt Pagett (2007), What Shat That?: A Pocket Guide to Poop Identity, ISBN 9781580088855
- "Spraint Analysis". OTTERSITE. Archived from the original on 8 September 2012.
- Brown, RW, Lawrence, MJ, Pope, J (1984). Animals. Tracks & Signs. Hamlyn. p. 225. ISBN 0-600-57444-X.
- "The Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra)". Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers. English Nature. Archived from the original on 14 February 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
Further reading
- Hans Kruuk (2006). Otters: ecology, behaviour, and conservation. Oxford biology. Oxford University Press. pp. 79–82. ISBN 9780198565871.
- C. F. Mason & S. M. Macdonald (2009). Otters: Ecology and Conservation. Cambridge University Press. pp. 31–35. ISBN 9780521101349.
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