Spraint

{{Short description|Otter dung}}

{{wiktionary}}

Spraint is the dung of the otter.{{citation |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gCkwEDBPg6UC&pg=PA69 |title=What Shat That?: A Pocket Guide to Poop Identity |author=Matt Pagett |year=2007|isbn=9781580088855 }}

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Spraints are typically identified by smell and are known for their distinct odors, the smell of which has been described as ranging from freshly mown hay to putrefied fish.{{cite web|url=http://www.ottersite.btinternet.co.uk/spraints.htm|title=Spraint Analysis|website=OTTERSITE|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120908081151/http://www.ottersite.btinternet.co.uk/spraints.htm|archive-date=8 September 2012}} The Eurasian otter's spraints are black and slimy, {{convert|3-10|cm|4 = 0|abbr = on}} long and deposited in groups of up to four in prominent locations near water. They contain scales, shells and bones of water creatures.{{cite book|vauthors=Brown, RW, Lawrence, MJ, Pope, J|title=Animals. Tracks & Signs|year=1984|publisher=Hamlyn|isbn=0-600-57444-X|page=225}} Because of the decline of otters in Britain, several surveys have been made to record the distribution of the animal, usually by recording the presence of spraint.

{{cite web|title= The Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) |url= http://www.english-nature.org.uk/lifeinukrivers/species/otter.html |archive-url= http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20090214170740/http://www.english-nature.org.uk/lifeinukrivers/species/otter.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= 14 February 2009 |work=Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers|publisher=English Nature|accessdate=27 July 2010}}

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