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  • This is a portion of defecation from a humpback whale calf (Megaptera novaeangliae australis). Defecation like this from calves contributes to the cycling of nutrients from nutrient-rich high latitudes to less nutrient-abundant lower latitudes. This calf’s mother fed primarily in and around Antarctica. She then provided milk to her calf in the relatively warm waters of Tonga, leading eventually to this defecation, thus transporting nutrients from the waters of Antartica to those of Tonga. The defecation smelled remarkably like one would expect poop to smell like.
    humpback-whale-calf-defecation-tonga...tif
  • Close-up view of defecation by an adult female sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus). Defecation at the surface is routine behavior for sperm whales. Defecation is an indication that the whale has been feeding successfully.
    sperm-whale-defecation-close-up-2016...tif
  • This is a portion of defecation from a humpback whale calf (Megaptera novaeangliae australis). Defecation like this from calves contributes to the cycling of nutrients from nutrient-rich high latitudes to less nutrient-abundant lower latitudes. This calf’s mother fed primarily in and around Antarctica. She then provided milk to her calf in the relatively warm waters of Tonga, leading eventually to this defecation, thus transporting nutrients from the waters of Antartica to those of Tonga. The fibrous material protruding from the feces is probably baleen, ingested by the baby whale.
    humpback-whale-calf-defecation-tonga...tif
  • Fluke-on view of a group of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) socializing. The whales are clustered together head-first, with lots of bio-sonar clicking and rubbing together of their heads and bodies. Mass defecation is often a part of such social activity, with the defecation becoming thick enough to obscure the whales from view, as is the case here. Note the shedding of skin, which is also characteristic of sperm whale socialization.
    sperm-whales-socializing-mass-defeca...tif
  • My friend holding up fresh pygmy blue whale defecation. The brilliant orange-red color of the blue whale poop derives from krill diet of the cetacean.
    ron-leidich-holding-blue-whale-defec...tif
  • Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera brydei) defecation, photographed in the Indian Ocean a few seconds after the whale passed, leaving a long trail of feces. The orange-red color likely derives from a diet of krill.
    brydes-whale-defecation-balaenoptera...tif
  • Frequent, repeated defecation by Pteromys volans orii flying squirrels in favored locations results in accumulated droppings. As winter snow melts, embedded droppings dissolve, dripping down to become fertilizer for the relevant tree.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • Pteromys volans orii flying squirrels often have favored locations for defecation.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • Male humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) defecating while socializing with two other male humpback whales. Photographed during the winter breeding season in the Kingdom of Tonga.
    humpback-whale-defecation-tonga-2010...tif
  • A dense group of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) that were part of a massive social gathering of hundreds of individuals. As shown here, sperm whales seem to defecate frequently when they are at the surface, especially during intense social activity. The whales' defecation and other bodily excretions imparted an oily consistency to the seawater, as can be seen here, backlit by the low light of the late-afternoon sun. Besides socializing in this manner, the large gathering of sperm whales were also foraging for food in between bouts of surface activity.
    sperm-whales-defecating-socializing-...tif
  • Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) defecating while engaged in a massive social gathering comprising hundreds, perhaps thousands, of individuals. Defecation like this is common in sperm whale social gatherings, as is shedding of skin as seen here.
    sperm-whales-defecating-socializing-...tif
  • Pictured here are ten sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) that were swimming together, mixed in with a larger gathering of whales. I estimate there were between 50 and 100 individuals in total, though it is difficult to be certain given their continual movement and diving. A couple of the whales can be seen defecating, an activity that seems to be a normal part of social interaction at the surface. Sperm whales are also frequently flatulent, as can be seen here.
    sperm-whales-defecating-socializing-...tif
  • A large aggregation of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) engaged in social activity. Note the abundance of sloughed off skin in the water, resulting from tactile contact among the whales. Peeling skin is apparent on the individuals in the center of this image. Note also the cloud of defecation. These whales had just emerged from milling around in a gigantic cluster, with many of the whales defecating to such an extent that the water was opaque. This photograph was the winner of the Behaviour: Mammals category of the 53rd Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition in 2017 (#WPY53) organized by the Natural History Museum in London.
    superpod-aggregation-sperm-whales-de...tif
  • Sperm whales seem to pass gas and defecate a lot when they are at the surface. This is something I have observed consistently across different sperm whale populations. This is the largest quantity of excrement that I've seen from a sperm whale.
    sperm-whale-defecation_201104_0719.tif
  • Large cluster of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) that were part of an enormous superpod gathering comprising hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals. As is typical of sperm whale social activity, there was a lot of tactile contact accompanied by biosonar clicking, with sloughing of skin, defecation, passing of gas. The water was milky white and oily from the activity.
    sperm-whale-superpod-physeter-macroc...tif
  • This is blue whale feces, discharged by a whale that had surfaced after feeding on krill in deep water in southern Sri Lanka. The neon red-orange color of the defecation is due to the whale's krill-based diet. The feces dissolve rapidly, as is apparent from the fizzing around the large clumps in this image. Photo taken under permit.
    blue-whale-feces-krill-Balaenoptera-...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel defecating, having assumed a comfortable seated position at the entrance of its nest for the purpose. It is clear from the dark trail below the droppings that the residents of this nest also urinate here. This is unusual. In most cases, these squirrels relieve themselves outside, some distance from their nests.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a defecating long-tailed tit (Aegithalos caudatus). This species is small in size, measuring up to 15cm in length, approximately half of which is the bird’s long, narrow tail.
    aegithalos-caudatus-long-tailed-tit-...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel defecating, having assumed a comfortable seated position at the entrance of its nest for the purpose. It is clear from the dark trail below the droppings that the residents of this nest also urinate here. This is unusual. In most cases, these squirrels relieve themselves outside, some distance from their nests.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • When a Japanese dwarf flying squirrel (Pteromys volans orii) emerges from its nest at dusk, one of the first orders of business is often to relieve itself. The individual pictured here is defecating (pellets visible in the appropriate location) while grasping a small twig for stability. Flying squirrel droppings are used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine for ailments related to blood circulation and abdominal pain. The droppings are known as Wu Ling Zhi.
    japanese-dwarf-flying-squirrel-defec...tif
  • The visible portion of Christmas tree worms (Spirobranchus giganteus) comprises modified<br />
prostomial palps (mouth appendages) that are used by the animals for feeding and breathing. These polychaete worms also defecate from central tube within these spiral appendanges, as shown here. This particular worm has made a home in a thin wedge of Pavona decussata leaf coral.
    spirobranchus-giganteus-polychaete-w...jpg
  • Bryde’s whale defecating (Balaenoptera edeni) after coming up from feeding
    brydes-whale-defecating-201502-2100.tif
  • Bright orange juvenile star pufferfish (Arothron stellatus) defecating
    juvenile-star-pufferfish-defecating-..tiff
  • This composite image shows a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel defecating for a duration of about 20 seconds after it had emerged from its nest to forage.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) defecating while hanging in a vertical position.
    sperm-whale-defecating-vertical-2014...tif
  • Sperm whales seem to pass gas and defecate a lot when they are at the surface. This is something I have observed consistently across different sperm whale populations. This is the largest quantity of excrement that I've seen from a sperm whale.
    sperm-whale-poop_201104_0724.tif
  • Part of an enormous social gathering comprising hundreds of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) over many square kilometers. This group comprised dozens of individuals that were busy clicking, blowing bubbles, rubbing their bodies against one another, diving to forage for food, and defecating continuously.
    sperm-whale-social-group-physeter-ma...tif
  • Feces from an injured humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) encountered during the winter season in the waters around Vava'u, Kingdom of Tonga. The humpback whale was entangled in a series of longlines and hooks and most likely died. Bycatch is a serious problem associated with longline fishing. Even whales occasionally fall victim to this indiscriminate fishing practice.
    humpback-whale-feces-defecation-tong...tif
  • Feces from retrieved from a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) female and calf pair. Unsure whether this came from the adult or juvenile whale.
    humpback-whale-feces-defecation-tong...tif
  • Feces from an injured humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) encountered during the winter season in the waters around Vava'u, Kingdom of Tonga. The humpback whale was entangled in a series of longlines and hooks and most likely died. Bycatch is a serious problem associated with longline fishing. Even whales occasionally fall victim to this indiscriminate fishing practice.
    humpback-whale-feces-defecation-tong...tif
  • This was part of a large gathering of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) comprising hundreds, perhaps thousands of individual whales that spanned horizon to horizon for nearly three days. This was likely a meeting of multiple social units in the same clan. Pictured here is one particularly large social cluster.  This image is licensed on an exclusive basis to BBC through 29 October 2021.
    sperm-whale-large-aggregation-201402...tif
  • Aggregation of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) engaged in social activity. There were hundreds, perhaps thousands, gathered in all directions as far as the eye could see. Most were adult females, though there were some large males present, as well as juveniles. The whales fed intermittently, but also spent substantial time at the surface and in shallow water socializing.
    large-aggregation-sperm-whales-socia...tif
  • Pteromys volans orii flying squirrels often have preferred places for defecation. Finding droppings like this is a sign that there are flying squirrels nearby. Dropping piles this large are unusual.
    pteromys-volans-orii-defecation-pano...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel urinating, having braced itself at the entrance of its nest for the purpose. A stream of urine is visible flowing down the darkened trench beneath the pile of defecation. In most cases, these squirrels relieve themselves someplace removed from their nests. This behavior is unusual.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel urinating, having braced itself at the entrance of its nest for the purpose. A stream of urine is visible flowing down the darkened trench beneath the pile of defecation. In most cases, these squirrels relieve themselves someplace removed from their nests. This behavior is unusual.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • A group of twenty three sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) traveling together. These whales (all females and immature individuals) were part of a much larger aggregation or superpod that I estimated to comprise around 100 individuals. The reason for such a large gathering is unclear, though it may have something to do with reproduction. Some time after this encounter, I came across another large group in the same area, which included a mature bull. Mature male sperm whales spend most of their time in colder waters, visiting tropical and temperate waters for the purpose of mating. The cloud of dark substance in the foreground is defecation from one of the whales, something which sperm whales seem to do often when they are at the surface.
    superpod-sperm-whales-sri-lanka-miri...tif
  • This is a female Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel that has emerged during the day to use the toilet. A pellet of defecation is visible stuck to her bottom. While outside the nest, she decided to snack on needles of a Sakhalin fir tree (Abies sachalinensis).
    pteromys-volans-orii-eating-abies-sa...tif
  • A group of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) with one defecating. These whales are all females, and were part of a large gathering, comprising up to perhaps 100 individuals divided among several groups distributed over a large area. Sperm whales seem to defecate often while they are at the surface.
    sperm-whales-defecating-sri-lanka-ph...tif
  • This is a male Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel defecating while perched in a safe place on a cloudy, overcast day.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Japanese dwarf flying squirrel (Pteromys volans orii), gliding from the top of one tree to another. Known locally as ezo-momonga, this sub-species of Siberian flying squirrel is found only in Hokkaido, Japan. Mature females measure up to 15cm, males up to 18cm (not including tail). These animals weigh up to 120g and are capable of gliding considerable distances. During flight, they use their patagia (membranes of skin between their forelimbs and hind limbs) and tails (10-12cm) to achieve lift, directional control and maneuvering capability. One study in Japan recorded a maximum glide distance exceeding 49m, though most flights fell into the 10m to 20m range. Although these animals are primarily nocturnal, they sometimes emerge during the day. Usually this is for brief durations to urinate or defecate. In this instance, this particular individual was one of two males competing for the right to mate with a female. Such reproduction-related competition sometimes takes place during daylight hours.
    japanese-dwarf-flying-squirrel-airbo...tif
  • Shown here is the rediole array of a Metavermilia inflata polychaete worm. Radioles are the ciliated feather-like tentacles that sessile polychaete worms such as these use for filter-feeding and respiration. The ball is the worm’s operculum, which seals the end of the tube when the animal retracts its radioles. The worm has just defecated, poop visible coming out of the central tube.
    metavermilia-inflata-polychaete-worm...tif
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