#297: Poo

I've previously blogged about the Mammal Society's website. 

This has a section on the identification of animal poo.

Here is a link to the resource. 

This is something which is perhaps an area to use with young people.

We also mentioned poo in quite a few of our missions in the Mission:Explore books - particularly our National Parks book.

This included some creative uses of poo.

Please note that it’s important NOT to touch any poo directly as it can be harmful. In order to break it apart and get a better look, it’s best to use a tool, such as a small stick.

#272: Mammal Mapper

The Mammal Mapper website is produced by the Mammal Society.

There are some useful videos to go alongside the app.

This would make a good opportunity to get involved in citizen science.

#210: Mammal Society

The Mammal Society has a useful website for those exploring the UK's mammals and wanting to know more.

There are around 90 native UK mammal species and a list can be found on the website.

There are some useful technical terms here to become familiar with, linked to orders of species of mammals (remember the taxonomy that we mentioned in a previous blog post and which students will need to become familiar with).

Eulipotyphla (Insectivores)

Lagomorpha (Rabbits and hares)
Rodentia (Rodents)
Carnivora (Carnivores)

Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates)

Perrisodactyla (odd-toed ungulates)
Marsupial - can anyone guess the only marsupial on the list of UK mammals?
Chiroptera (Bats)
Pinnipedia (Seals)
Cetacea (Whales, dolphins and porpoises inc. vagrants)

there are a few words to learn here, and also the difference between even and odd-toed ungulates. The former being the deer family.

I picked up a recent story through their Instagram account on the importance of hibernation to mammal species in helping them to overcome changes to climate.

They have a 'Whose Poo?' page which helps you identify animals from their droppings / faeces / spraints etc.

They have a useful Mammals Hub, which includes details on all the UK's native mammals as well. Plenty of educational interest as well as a range of blogs.

Membership costs £60 for the year and comes with a range of benefits.

They also have an app which I shall blog about separately called 'Mammal Mapper'.