Ologies with Alie Ward – Smologies #26: POOP with Rachel Santymire

Intro

In this episode of “Ologies with Alie Ward,” Alie interviews Dr. Rachel Santymire, also known as Dr. Poop, a scatologist who analyzes feces from various species. They discuss the importance of studying feces and how it can provide insights into animal health, diet, and behavior.

Main Takeaways

Scientific Study of Feces

• Scatology is the scientific study of feces.
• Dr. Rachel Santymire, aka Dr. Poop, is a scatologist who analyzes feces of countless species.

Insights from Feces Analysis

• Analyzing feces can provide insights into animal health, diet, and behavior.
• Different animals have different shapes and sizes of feces, which can reveal information about their species.
• Smell of feces is related to what animals eat and the bacteria in their gut microbes.

Rhinos and Feces

• Rhinos use pheromones and odor cues in their feces for communication, as they are solitary animals.
• Rhinos also purposely step in their feces to mark their territory.

Cultural Influences and Feces

• Humans may feel shame around poop due to cultural and religious influences, as well as a desire to avoid parasites.

Conservation and Wildlife

• Studying feces helps researchers conserve wildlife.
• The black rhino is a critically endangered species with only a little over 5,000 left in the wild.

Summary

Scatology: The Study of Feces

Scatology is the scientific study of feces, and Dr. Rachel Santymire, known as Dr. Poop, is an expert in analyzing feces from various species. By examining feces, scientists can gain valuable insights into animal health, diet, and behavior. Different animals have different shapes and sizes of feces, which can provide clues about their species. The smell of feces is influenced by an animal’s diet and the bacteria in their gut microbes.

Rhinos and Feces Communication

Rhinos use their feces as a form of communication. They release pheromones and odor cues in their feces to mark their territory and communicate with other rhinos. Additionally, rhinos purposely step in their feces to leave scent markings. This behavior is particularly important for rhinos as they are solitary animals.

Cultural Influences and Shame Around Poop

Humans often feel shame around poop due to cultural and religious influences. In many societies, poop is considered dirty and taboo. Additionally, the fear of parasites and diseases associated with feces contributes to the avoidance and shame surrounding it.

Conservation and Wildlife

Studying feces plays a crucial role in wildlife conservation. By analyzing animal feces, researchers can gather information about the health, diet, and behavior of various species. This knowledge helps in developing effective conservation strategies. For example, the black rhino, a critically endangered species, has a population of just over 5,000 in the wild. Understanding their feces can aid in their conservation efforts.

Conclusion

Dr. Rachel Santymire’s work as a scatologist, or “poop detective,” sheds light on the importance of studying feces. Analyzing feces provides valuable insights into animal health, diet, and behavior. It also helps in wildlife conservation efforts. By understanding the significance of feces, we can gain a deeper understanding of the natural world and work towards its preservation.