fossil

Coprolite

Coprolite (fossilized feces)

Hardness: 3.5 to 6.5 (Mohs scale), Color: typically brown, black, or grey, Luster: dull to earthy, Structure: often preserves the original shape of animal droppings with internal inclusions.

Hardness: 3

Identified July 5, 2026More fossil →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 3.5 to 6.5 (Mohs scale), Color: typically brown, black, or grey, Luster: dull to earthy, Structure: often preserves the original shape of animal droppings with internal inclusions.

Formation & geological history

Formed through the fossilization of animal excrement over millions of years, often by mineralization with calcium phosphate or silicates, primarily dating from the Paleozoic to the Cenozoic eras.

Uses & applications

Scientific study of prehistoric diets and ecosystems, educational displays, and occasionally used in novelty jewelry or as collector items.

Geological facts

The term was coined by William Buckland in 1829. These trace fossils provide direct evidence of what ancient animals ate and the microorganisms present in their digestive tracts.

Field identification & locations

Identify by looking for cylindrical or spiral shapes, often with inclusions of bone fragments or plant matter. Found globally in sedimentary deposits, specifically those that favored rapid burial.