News Paleontology

Fossilized poop bears tooth marks

Shark-bitten fecal matter probably came from assault on ancient croc

By Sid Perkins

- More than 2 years ago

Paleontologists have stumbled across a scientific first that’s sure to inspire both fascination and disgust: coprolites, or fossilized fecal matter, bearing the distinct impressions of a creature’s teeth.

YUCK This coprolite, or fossilized fecal matter (top), bears an array of tooth marks left by an ancient shark (mold of impressions at bottom; scale bar represents 1 centimeter).