fossil

Coprolite

Coprolite (fossilized feces)

Hardness: 3.5-5.5 (Mohs scale), Color: Brown, tan, reddish, or grey, Luster: Dull to earthy, Texture: Granular or stippled, Structure: Often retains the cylindrical or coiled shape of excrement.

Hardness: 3

Identified July 19, 2026More fossil →

Explore Coprolite in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Hardness: 3.5-5.5 (Mohs scale), Color: Brown, tan, reddish, or grey, Luster: Dull to earthy, Texture: Granular or stippled, Structure: Often retains the cylindrical or coiled shape of excrement.

Formation & geological history

Formed through the fossilization of animal dung, often replaced by minerals like calcium phosphate (apatite) or quartz. These can range in age from the Ordovician period to the Pleistocene.

Uses & applications

Scientific study (paleodiet and paleoecology), educational displays, and novelty jewelry or carvings.

Geological facts

Coprolites provide invaluable information about the diets and digestive systems of prehistoric animals, including dinosaurs. The term was coined by William Buckland in 1829.

Field identification & locations

Identify by looking for a characteristic 'poop' shape, inclusions like bone fragments or plant matter, and a high phosphate content. They are commonly found in sedimentary rock formations rich in other fossils.