How to Tell Rabbit Poop Apart from Deer Poop?

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If you have ever encountered animal droppings in your yard or garden and wondered what type of critter left it behind, you might be interested to know that deer and rabbit droppings can look quite similar.

While deer droppings are slightly larger than rabbit droppings, the difference may not be readily noticeable. If you want to notice deer poop vs rabbit poop, there are other characteristics to look out for. Knowing the differences between deer and rabbit droppings can help determine which animals have been in and around your home.

Deer Poop vs. Rabbit Poop: The Differentiating Factors

The first factor when differentiating between deer and rabbit poop is size. Depending on the animal’s diet, their droppings can range from small pellets to larger logs. In general, deer droppings tend to be larger than rabbits; they usually measure 1/2 inch in diameter or greater, while rabbit droppings usually measure less than 1/2 inch across. Furthermore, deer feces are typically longer than rabbit feces (3/4 inch or more), while rabbit droppings are often rounder in shape.

How to tell rabbit poop apart from deer poop: shape and size of droppings

An animal’s droppings’ shape and size can tell a lot about its identity. Rabbit poop looks like little pellets, usually less than a quarter-inch in diameter. It may appear slightly oval in shape. The color of rabbit poop is often dark brown or black, with a glossy finish. Deer droppings, on the other hand, are much larger than rabbit pellets—usually around an inch in diameter or more—and are more cylindrical. They also tend to be lighter in color than rabbit poop and may have small bits of plant matter visible in them.

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Quantity of Droppings How to tell rabbit poop apart from deer poop

Another quick way to gauge whether you’re dealing with rabbit or deer feces is by counting the number of pellets per cluster. Rabbit droppings tend to come out in groups or clusters of five to twenty pellets. Deer scat, however, appears as solitary piles ranging from one single pellet to five or six at most. So if you see clusters of little pellets that look like a furry critter could have left them, it’s likely rabbit scat!

Smell Test

Animals have scent glands near their anus, producing strong odors that come along with their excrement. If you’ve ever encountered deer scat, you might remember it being quite smelly! Deer feces has a distinct smell that many people describe as musky or earthy. Rabbit droppings don’t smell nearly as pungent; they tend to emit a faint ammonia smell when fresh and almost no odor once dried out.

How to tell rabbit poop apart from deer poop: conclusion

Identifying different types of animal poop can be tricky at first glance; however, understanding the characteristics associated with each species’ excretions becomes much easier! Rabbit feces stand out due to their small size and light color compared with the bigger and darker deer scat piles – not to mention their lack of strong odor! Armed with this knowledge, you’ll now be able to identify any type of mammal poop quickly and easily – so happy hunting!

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Ethan Smith is a seasoned marine veteran, professional blogger, witty and edgy writer, and an avid hunter. He spent a great deal of his childhood years around the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Arizona. Watching active hunters practise their craft initiated him into the world of hunting and rubrics of outdoor life. He also honed his writing skills by sharing his outdoor experiences with fellow schoolmates through their high school’s magazine. Further along the way, the US Marine Corps got wind of his excellent combination of skills and sought to put them into good use by employing him as a combat correspondent. He now shares his income from this prestigious job with his wife and one kid. Read more >>