We examined black bear ( Ursus americanus), wolf ( Canis lupus), and hybrids ( Canis spp.) prey preference in Ontario based on the availability of three ungulate species-elk ( Cervus elaphus), moose ( Alces alces), and white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus). Although black bear and wolf diets have been investigated extensively, prey preference has been less commonly examined, especially in analyses that take into account age class (i.e., juvenile and adult) of the ungulate prey. Ungulates often serve as a significant source of prey for many large mammal predators, and patterns of predation are known to influence population dynamics. Photo by Tom Hughes at Sampson Lake State Park.Understanding predator-prey dynamics is an important component of management strategy development for wildlife populations that are directly affected by predation. The difference in shape is due to the different body structures between males and females. Turkey scat is greenish to brown in color and it is believed that male turkeysвЂ™ (toms) scat is in a J shape whereas femalesвЂ™ (hens) scat is in more of a pile. Photo by Amanda Dillon.Д«onus scat: Wild turkey have made a serious comeback in New York State, and are a common sight around agricultural field and forested land. It is moderately sized and can contain anything from berries to shiny garbage fragments (raccoons are attracted to shiny objects, especially in water). Scat from a raccoon can be found anywhere from the waterвЂ™s edge to around your trash can.

In the summer and fall, it will contain things such as seeds, berries, corn, acorns and apples if available. In the spring, bear scat will most likely contain vegetation. Photo by Susan Carver.Д«lack bear scat is usually in a large tubular pile and usually will contain different food items depending on the time of year. The second photo is scat from a domestic dog, notice the end are not twisted. Fox and coyote scat look similar, but fox scat is generally smaller. Notice how the end of the scat looks like it has been twisted. Photo by Susan Carver.Д«elow is a picture of coyote scat. Cottontail Rabbit White-tailed deer scat. Softer scat will still resemble the ball shape, but more in a patty form. It will generally be found in a pile and each piece will be around the size of a small marble. White-tailed deer scat is probably the most common that you will find in New York.

The scat from black bear and raccoon is usually dark in color and will be tubular in shape. Deer and rabbit scat is shaped like a ball or marble and can be found primarily in feeding areas. Felines donвЂ™t specify where their scat lands and the scat are tubular and sectioned. Scraping marks in the dirt from their paws can also be found in front of canine scat. Canines will generally place their scat higher off the ground such as on a rock in a trail this is a way they mark their territory so it can be found by other canines. The next thing to look at is the placement of the scat and its shape. Some New York species that fit this category are deer, rabbit, porcupine and woodchuck. If the scat only contains plant fibers then you can assume that the animal is an herbivore. Where things can get tricky is if the scat has berries or fur and berries, this comes from an omnivore like a fox, coyote, raccoon or black bear that eat both meat and vegetation. If the scat contains fur or bone then you can assume that the animal is a carnivore, like a fisher or bobcat. For example, are there berries, fur, bones, or plant fibers? Identifying what the scat is made up of will narrow down the type of species that the scat can belong to. When first looking at scat you want to see if there are any remnants or sign of what the animal has been eating. We will be focused on scat that you are most likely to run into while out exploring the beautiful New York State Parks. The winter snow provides a great backdrop for finding wildlife scat you can learnВ how to identify some of the common critters that reside in our State Parks by looking at their scat.

Black bear scat