Premieres Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022 at 9 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. on KPBS TV + Feb. 13 at 9 p.m. on KPBS 2 / On Demand
Scott Burnett is “Scatman” — an Australian ecologist who believes that fully understanding any animal requires understanding its poop. By identifying and analyzing an animal’s scat for DNA and hormones, he discovers essential details of its behavior, how it fits in the ecosystem, and even how to protect it, all without needing to trap or disturb it. Scott’s work shows how excrement can help protect an animal, sustain its young, send signals to mates and aggressors, and preserve the fertility of the environment it depends on.
On NOVA "Secrets in the Scat," Scott also faces many fecal mysteries: Why and how do wombats, big and small, manage to produce cube-shaped poop? The quest for answers takes Scott to an engineering lab and some ingenious intestinal tests, beginning with rubber bands as a convenient model.
Why do the blue whales of Sri Lanka produce bright coral-colored poop? This colorful bounty reveals some unusual eating habits. These engaging scat stories will inspire viewers with new respect for nature’s smelliest secrets.
Related Stories / Video:
Can Cat Poop Make You Crazy? by Michael Rivera
White Sand Beaches Are Made of Fish Poop by Anna Rothschild
Can Bird Poop Make Clouds? by Anna Rothschild
In 17,000-year-old puma poop, a glimpse of Ice Age parasites by Katherine J. Wu
In search of Antarctic biodiversity? Look no further than penguin poop by K. J. Wu
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