fossil

Coprolite

Fossilized Feces

Hardness varies depending on replacement mineral (often 3-4 if calcareous, up to 7 if silicified); Color can be brown, gray, black, or reddish depending on minerals; Luster is typically dull to earthy; Structure is usually nodular or amorphous, retaining the shape of the original dropping.

Identified July 31, 2026More fossil →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the fossilization process where organic matter is replaced by minerals, typically in sedimentary environments. Age can range from Paleozoic to Pleistocene.

Uses & applications

Mainly of scientific interest to paleontologists to study the diet and behavior of extinct animals. Also collected as a novelty item.

Geological facts

Coprolites provide direct evidence of what an extinct animal ate, sometimes containing bone fragments, teeth, or plant material. Large, distinct coprolites are often attributed to dinosaurs.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its distinctive shape, which sometimes retains pinch marks or spiral patterns reflecting the animal's intestines, as well as its context within sedimentary rock formations. Found worldwide in fossil-bearing strata.