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Argh, what do you call these?
I'm rapidly losing credibility with my son, spent a morning on Kerrera pointing out what I thought were called 'spraints' but I now believe this term is specific to otter poop 🙄
As pictured below as we watch an otter out in the bay
I love Kerrera.
I didn't know there was a name for these mounds. Maybe ask the RSPB or BTO.
It's just guano, isn't it?
You're nearly right. The mounds are tall and lush because otters leave their spraint there. Otters have a rapid digestive system and poop out "spraint" regularly. The fish rich diet means the spraint is highly nutritious hence the lush mounds. They spraint in the same place each time in order to mark territory.
Otter spraint smells very nice by the way.
You're nearly right. The mounds are tall and lush because otters leave their spraint there. Otters have a rapid digestive system and poop out "spraint" regularly. The fish rich diet means the spraint is highly nutritious hence the lush mounds. They spraint in the same place each time in order to mark territory.
Otter spraint smells very nice by the way.
I'll take your word for it! 😂
However, I see the same pointed green mounds in areas which are presumably otter free, e.g. mountainsides or glens far from the sea, so what is the mountain equivalent of an otter, some sort of vole?
No, voles are rodents (I think) whereas otters are mustalids (I think) For some reason Google won't open so I'm guessing.
So things like stoats, weasels, pole cats, badgers if it's a big one
You're nearly right. The mounds are tall and lush because otters leave their spraint there. Otters have a rapid digestive system and poop out "spraint" regularly. The fish rich diet means the spraint is highly nutritious hence the lush mounds. They spraint in the same place each time in order to mark territory.
Otter spraint smells very nice by the way.
I'll take your word for it! 😂
However, I see the same pointed green mounds in areas which are presumably otter free, e.g. mountainsides or glens far from the sea, so what is the mountain equivalent of an otter, some sort of vole?
the mountain equivalent of an otter... Is an otter.
Kerrera is all the lovely place to be on a nice autumn day.
'green poopy piles' would get my vote.
And otter poop reminds me of a mate who was out with a field study group on Arran beach. Using some crumbled black pudding from breakfast he offered the group the opportunity to 'tell what gender the otter was by whether the poop tastes salty or sweet....' and proceeded to demonstrate eating 'otter poop'.... 🤣🤣🤣
MS Copilot tells me they are called a "mute pile"
Badger latrines are interesting. A tennis ball sized hole filled to the brim with the worst looking poo one can imagine. They usually have a line of these as it's their 'warning' to other badgers - 'stay off my land/territory'.
I'm always looking out for otter Spraint along our local river, not seen any yet, even in the very quiet bits.