Whose poo is whose? Your guide to animal droppings identification (with pictures)
Issued: 29 Sep 6 mins read

Kangaroo and wallaby

What kangaroo and wallaby scat look like: Kangaroo and wallaby scat consist of small, round or slightly squashed pellets, usually dark brown or greenish, depending on their diet of grasses and leaves. The pellets are firm and often found in clusters.

Where you might see it: You’re likely to spot kangaroo and wallaby droppings in open grasslands, forests, and national parks, as well as in rural and suburban areas where these marsupials forage.

Koala

What koala scat looks like: Koala scat is small, oval-shaped, and typically dark green or brown, resembling compact pellets about the size of an olive. It has a firm texture and a distinctive eucalyptus scent, reflecting the koala’s diet of gum leaves.

Where you might see it: You’re most likely to spot koala scat under eucalyptus trees in Queensland’s forests, woodlands, and even urban bushland, especially in areas where koalas are known to live, such as southeast Queensland and along the state’s coastal regions.

Brushtail possum poo or koala poo?

There can be some poo confusion between these two animals’ droppings, as they may look similar at first glance. Brushtail possum scat is slightly skinnier and browner, while koala scat has more of an oval shape and green colouring.

Possum

What possum scat looks like: Possum scat varies by species but is generally small, cylindrical, and slightly tapered at the ends, often dark brown or black. The texture and content can change depending on their diet, which includes leaves, fruit, and flowers.

Where you might see it: In Queensland, you might find possum droppings on tree branches, in roof spaces, or scattered on the ground beneath trees, especially in urban areas, forests, and national parks where species like the common brushtail and ringtail possums are active.

Rat or possum poo?

Ringtail possum poo and rat poo can sometimes look very similar, but the biggest clue is the location of the scat. Rat droppings are often found scattered around a sheltered feeding or nest site in urbanised areas, while possum poo is more likely to be seen in the spots we mentioned earlier.

Rat scat is around seven millimetres long and brushtail possum poo clocks in at around double that length, with ringtail possum poo falling somewhere in the middle.

Fox

They may look cute, but foxes are a feral species in Queensland. If you spot fox scat in your neighbourhood, it’s a clue that these invasive animals are nearby. Be sure to report fox sightings or evidence to help keep our state’s biodiversity balanced.

What fox scat looks like: Fox scats are typically long, tapered at the ends, and dark brown or black. They often contain fur, bones, or seeds from their varied diet. They have a twisted appearance and may have a musky smell.

Where you might see it: In Queensland, you might find fox droppings on bush tracks, along fence lines, or in open grassy areas, as foxes use scat to mark their territory. Their presence is more common in rural and semi-urban areas, where they pose a threat to native wildlife.

Snake

Living in Queensland means coexisting with all kinds of fascinating creatures, including snakes.

Check out what snakes live near you and be aware of their threat level – most of the time, snakes will shy away from confrontation.

What snake scat looks like: Snake scat is often dark, cylindrical, and irregular in shape, with a moist, tar-like consistency when fresh. It typically contains white, chalky urate deposits, as snakes excrete waste and uric acid together.

Where you might see it: In Queensland, you might find snake droppings in bushland, near rocky outcrops, under houses, or along garden paths – anywhere snakes might be hunting for food or seeking shelter.

Bandicoot

What bandicoot scat looks like: Bandicoot scat is small, cylindrical, and often broken into segments, usually dark brown or black. The droppings have a rough texture due to the bandicoot’s diet of insects, seeds, and plant material, and may contain visible fragments of undigested food.

Where you might see it: If you spot conical holes in the soil, that’s a classic bandicoot calling card – they dig for food in areas like gardens, bushland, and parks.

Echidna

What echidna scat looks like: Echidna scat is long, cylindrical, and often slightly curved, with a smooth, shiny surface. It is usually dark brown or black and may contain visible fragments of ants and termites, reflecting their insectivorous diet. Echidna poo will also shine under a light due to the insects they consume – very glamorous!

Where you might see it: You might find echidna droppings in forests, grasslands, and bushland, especially near termite mounds or areas where they have been foraging for food.

Dingo

What dingo scat looks like: Dingo scat is long, tube-shaped, and often twisted at the ends, resembling domestic dog poo but typically containing fur, bones, or seeds – a tell-tale sign of the dingo’s varied diet. It is usually dark brown or black and can have a dry, crumbly texture when aged.

Where you might see it: You’re most likely to find dingo droppings on bush tracks, sandy dunes, or near water sources – particularly in national parks, remote outback areas, and places like K’gari where dingoes thrive. If you encounter a dingo in the wild, remember to be dingo-safe and keep your distance.

Wombat

What wombat scat looks like: Wombat scat is famous for being cube-shaped. The droppings are usually 2–4 cm wide, dark brown to black, and firm in texture. Their unique shape helps them stay put on rocks, logs, or other elevated surfaces – perfect for wombats to mark their territory.

Where you might see it: You’ll often find wombat scat perched on prominent objects like logs, rocks, or even fence posts. These “scat pedestals” are used as communication points in bushland, forest edges, and grassy habitats where wombats live.

Southern cassowary

What cassowary scat looks like: Talk about a poo superhero – the Southern cassowary is a scat super-cycler! Their large scats often contain hundreds and sometimes thousands of seeds, with some so large that no other animal can swallow or disperse them.

Where you might see it: Southern cassowaries are notoriously secretive and shy, so their scat might be the closest you come to seeing one. You’re most likely to see cassowary droppings on rainforest walking tracks, near fruiting trees, or along the edges of creeks in the northeast Queensland region.

Goat

While goats are legal to keep in Queensland as companion animals and livestock (with the right conditions), feral goats are still a problem in the state. They are widespread across Queensland, especially in rangelands and rocky country, where they compete with native wildlife for food and water. Spotted feral goats near you? Report them to help authorities control the issue.

What goat scat looks like: Goat droppings are small, oval pellets, usually black or dark brown, and are left in clusters. The pellets are smooth and hard, reflecting the goat’s diet of grasses, shrubs, and other vegetation.

Where you might see it: Goat scat is common in dry, open areas such as grazing land, rocky hillsides, and near water points where herds gather.

Camel

Camels are an interesting case in Queensland – while some are used for meat, invasive plant control, and entertainment purposes, there are also instances of feral camel populations that wreak havoc on our natural landscapes. If you see feral camels around where you live, you can report them to help keep our state’s biodiversity in check.

What camel scat looks like: Camel droppings are small, round pellets, usually dark brown or black, and often dry and hard due to the animal’s efficient water conservation. They are typically clustered together rather than scattered.

Where you might see it: In Queensland, feral camels roam the arid inland and desert fringes. Their scat is most often found near water sources, feeding grounds, or along well-worn camel tracks.