coprolith

A coprolith is fossilized feces. These ancient excrements provide valuable insights into the diet and behavior of extinct animals. They are essentially stony masses formed from the mineralized remains of undigested material that passed through an animal's digestive tract. The composition of a coprolith can reveal the types of plants, seeds, bones, or insects that made up the animal's last meal.

Coproliths are studied by paleontologists to reconstruct ancient ecosystems. By analyzing the contents, scientists can determine the trophic level of the animal, its habitat, and its place in the food web. They can also indicate the presence of parasites or diseases that may have affected the animal. The process of fossilization involves the gradual replacement of organic material with minerals, often from the surrounding sediment.

The term "coprolith" derives from the Greek words "kopros" meaning dung and "lithos" meaning stone. While often found associated with dinosaur fossils, coproliths can originate from a wide range of prehistoric animals, including mammals, reptiles, and fish. Their discovery requires careful examination of sedimentary layers, and their preservation can vary greatly depending on the environmental conditions during fossilization. Studying coproliths is a specialized branch of paleontology, offering a unique window into the biological processes of the distant past.