• Option A, two views of a well-formed long coprolite with dark red-brown color
  • Two small coprolites on a wood shelf, with a gold fly figurine in the background
  • Four small coprolites spread out in a hand to show scale. They are a little longer than the hand is wide.
  • Option B, two views of a long coprolite that's bunched up at one end, with brown and red-brown coloration
  • Option C, two views of a short, squiggly coprolite with light brown color
  • Option D, two views of a short, fat coprolite, classic soft-serve form and yellow-brown color.
  • Option E, two views of a long coprolite folded at one end, with brown color.
  • Option F, two views of a thick, S-shaped coprolite with lighter brown color
  • Option G, two views of a stubby brown coprolite, flat as if broken on one end, with a tight curl on the other end.
  • Option H, two views of a long brown coprolite with tight folds, pinched looking end
  • Option I, two views of a darker brown stumpy coprolite, splayed-looking on one end and pointed on the other.
  • Option J, two views of an irregular, skinny dark brown coprolite. The center is thin, with an almost branched end on one side.
  • Option K, two views of a short, fat coprolite, well-formed knobby kinked pattern with pointed end. Darker orange-brown color.
  • Option L, two views of a long coprolite with pointed ends. Darker reddish brown color
  • Option M, two views of a long wiggly brown coprolite with a pointed end
  • Option N, two views of a long well-formed wriggly coprolite, with dark brown color
  • Option O, two views of a long red-brown coprolite with tight curls, long pointed end
  • Option P, two views of a long thin dark brown coprolite shaped like a mustache.
  • Option Q, two views of a corkscrew-shaped dark brown coprolite
  • Option R, two views of an irregular long coprolite that looks stretched in the middle, with one flat end and one split end. Dark brown color.
  • Option S, two views of a bulbous wiggly long coprolite with red-brown color.
  • Option T, two views of a squat blobby coprolite that is very dark brown. It has long thin pointed ends coming out each end
  • Scale image of options A through D on a measuring mat. A and C are a bit over two inches long, B is two and a half inches, and D is an inch and a half.
  • Scale image of options E through H on a measuring mat. The pieces are all about the same length, a little over two inches
  • Scale image of options I through L on a measuring mat. I is about two and a half inches long, J nearly four inches, K less then two inches, and L a bit over three inches in length.
  • Scale image of options M through P on a measuring mat. M is a nearly three inches long, N about three and a half inches, O two and a half, and P three and a half inches in length
  • Scale image of options Q through T on a measuring mat. Q is about two inches long, R and S are both about two and a half inches, and T two inches in length.
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Coprolites (small)

Coprolites (small)

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Locale: Madagascar

Approx size: 2.5" avg (2–3.5")

Approx weight: 35g avg (20–50g)

 

Everybody poops (weird sometimes)! A coprolite is fossilized excrement, colloquially called “dino doo.” The inexpensive specimens most commonly found in the market today likely aren’t from dinosaurs though, some are masquerading as dino doo. I have most frequently seen this Madagascar material attributed to prehistoric turtles that once roamed the area.

There is some debate whether in fact these are even true coprolites however, or simply unfortunately (or… fortuitously?) shaped iron concretions. I find the cololite argument compelling, 'cololite' meaning intestinal casts preserving the twists and folds of some creature's intestines. Whichever way, I'm skeptical that turtles were this prolific of defecators based on the number of Madagascar "coprolites" on the market.

The X-files "I WANT TO BELIEVE" poster with the UFO replace with a coprolite

When you see the variety of shapes these specimens come in, they are pretty convincing as coprolites. I have a hard time not keeping every well-formed piece I come across, building my own private pseudo-Poozeum. The material is composed of siderite and other ferrous (iron-rich) minerals that limonized, indicated by the crackling. Broken or polished pieces can have lovely colors similar to low-quality petrified wood or jasper, with tones of brown, yellow, orange, and red.

Sure you could make your own for free, but these "coprolites" are an inexpensive conversation piece—and always a great gift for kids!


Size categories

L 4.5” / 200g avg

M 3.5” / 100g avg

S 2.5" / 40g avg - S and higher-quality XS specimens

XS ​​2" / 30g avg - XS and lower-quality S specimens

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