If you’re anything like Indiana Jones, spotting snake poop could send your ophidiophobia (fear of snakes) into overdrive. But how do you know that pile of poo came from a snake in the first place?
Here’s what you need to know about identifying snake poop and removing it safely.
What Does Snake Poop Look Like?
Identifying snake poop is both easier and more difficult than with a lot of other critters. This is because they have a cloacae instead of a separate urethra and anus. Species size and diet can also have a visible effect on the feces.
While an expert can sometimes guess a snake species by examining their scat, anything short of a genetic test will only reveal a few clues on the identity of your slithering stranger.
Shape and Size
Unlike mammals, snakes don’t have fully solid poop. This means the shape can vary from mushy log to a slimy mess similar to that of large birds. The size will largely depend on what the meal was, with mouse or rat resulting in a bigger pile of poo than insects or small frogs.
Additionally, the softness means a snake’s excrement will appear smooth and lack texturing outside of any undigestible meal fragments that may stick out.
Color and Consistency
As with most critters, snake feces ranges from brown to gray.
When fresh, the top will appear lighter or may have light-colored cap. This lighter tint is caused by the snake’s urine. If disturbed, the urine will mix more thoroughly, causing the poop to gain a runnier consistency and more uniform coloration.
As for the exact color, this varies from one species to another and may also be affected by their diet.
What’s In It?
Snakes can have a varied diet, but the common factor is that they all swallow their prey whole. This means you might find bones, fur, feathers, scales, or bits of exoskeleton in their feces.
Smell
You’ll likely find snake waste to have little or no odor. Of course, this once again depends on what was consumed. It’s not unheard of for a snake to produce something pungent
Location
Snakes like to poop on the go, and digestion can often take days or even weeks depending on the size of the snake and its meal. This means you might find the poop in your garden, yard, basement, or similar hunting ground.
You might also find it somewhere between the snake’s den and its preferred hunting spot.
Rattle snake pooping:
Snake Poop vs Other Animal Droppings
While snake scat has some distinctive features, it can vary greatly in almost every aspect. This means that while you can identify the poop as belonging to a snake, it’s extremely difficult to identify the type of snake based on its feces alone.
Snakes can generally be grouped into three size ranges:
- Small (e.g. garter snake)
- Medium (e.g. copperhead)
- Large (e.g. python)
Comparison Chart
| Animal | Size | Shape | Contents | Odor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snake | (S) 1-2" long, < 0.5" diameter (M) 1-3" long, 0.4-0.8" diameter (L) ≤ 12" long, 0.8-1.6" diameter | Smooth, oblong, soft or runny | Fur, bones, feathers, or other prey remnants | Faint odor to pungent |
| Bat | 0.125" to 0.5" long | Tubular, segmented | Insect debris for insectivores, seeds for fruit bats, or dried blood for vampire bats | Pungent, musky odor |
| Chipmunk | 1/4" to 3/8" long | Cylindrical with tapered ends | Berries, seeds, plant matter | Mild, earthy smell |
| Domestic Cat | 1" long, 1/2" diameter | Segmented | Less likely to contain food remnants | Pungent, distinct odor |
| Fox | 2-3" long, 1/2" diameter | Rope-like or twisted, segmented, tapered ends | Fur, bones, or other prey remnants | Slightly pungent |
| Opossum | 1-2" long, 3/4" diameter | Elongated, tubular, slight curve | Fruits, insects, and other soft foods | Mild odor |
| Rabbit | Less than 1" | Round pellets | Plant matter | Mild odor |
| Raccoon | 2-3" long, 3/4" diameter | Tubular, segmented | Seeds, berries, garbage, or debris | Mild odor |
| Skunk | 1-2" long, 1/2" diameter | Tubular, segmented | Seeds, insect parts, fur, or feathers | Slight musky odor |
| Squirrel | 3/8" long, 1/8" diameter | Oblong pellets | May contain traces of wood or nuts | Mild, earthy smell |
| Weasel | 1-2" long, 1/4" diameter | Elongated, tubular, often twisted/curved, tapered ends | Fur, bones, or other prey remnants | Musty or slightly pungent |
Are Snake Droppings Dangerous?
As with many pests, you probably don’t want to handle snake poop due to multiple health risks.
Parasites
A number of parasites may be found in snake feces, often originating with the snake’s prey. This includes intestinal parasites and protozoa,
Bacterial and Viral Diseases
- E. coli (Escherichia coli) – There are numerous strains of this bacteria. However, while some are harmless, there are other strains that can be life-threatening. E. coli symptoms may not occur for as long as a week and include cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and/or vomiting.
- Salmonella (salmonellosis) – Salmonella infections are a major cause of food poisoning. While mildly inconvenient for the average adult, this bacteria can be deadly to those with a weaker immune system.
Allergen and Respiratory Risks
Drying snake poop can release particles in the air that trigger respiratory ailments such as asthma or COPD. In addition, the poop’s contents may contain allergens such as dander, while the released particles could affect dust allergies.
Odor and Property Damage
Snake scat isn’t as bad as many other critters, but it can still produce an unpleasant odor. Additionally, its looser composition can create a slip hazard much like goose poop. It’s more common for the poop to be found in grass or dirt, but there’s a small chance of staining if left on a sidewalk or painted surface.
What to Do If You Find Snake Droppings
Poop removal should be handled with care, not only because of the obvious risks, but also because there’s a small chance a venomous snake is nearby. To dispose of the waste safely:
- Be sure to wear loose, protective clothing or tall boots to avoid getting bitten if the snake is nearby. Gloves and a mask are also recommended to reduce exposure to pathogens.
- Carefully scoop the poop into a doubled-up plastic bag and seal it completely. Dispose of it in a place where the bags will not be easily torn.
- Sterilize the area using a disinfectant, a solution of one part bleach to ten parts water, or plant-safe anti-microbial enzyme.
- Remember to thoroughly wash your protective clothing using either color-safe bleach or an enzyme immediately afterwards.
Morgan is a certified entomologist and pest control consultant and a member of the National Pest Management Association.
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