Poop
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f4akyuCYHNoqSx6gH8tjsG-320-80.jpg)
Just about every living thing does it, though for many people the subject is distasteful or taboo. But poop is an important indicator of everyday gut health; it can provide vital clues about digestive disorders, or may contain bacteria that can treat them. Poop also plays an unsung role in ecosystems and animal diets, providing essential nutrients that benefit organisms of all sizes. Here's where you're find the latest poop on poop.
Latest about poop
![close up on the head of a sperm whale as it's swimming in the ocean](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FZzLUJ2GKfFgNfLMBXUa2J-320-80.jpg)
Sperm whales drop giant poop bombs to save themselves from orca attack
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
A pod of sperm whales flung their poop at unsuspecting orcas to avoid a fatal attack.
![Father holding baby with dirty diaper.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jDmLeydNwe558YjQL6qkU8-320-80.jpg)
Why does poop smell bad?
By Donavyn Coffey published
And for medical purposes, how stinky is too stinky?
![Human or animal poop of brown color lying on yellow background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QgwfyWY8f86iqjD3r94x2h-320-80.jpg)
8 times fossilized human poop dropped big knowledge on us. (Number 2 will surprise you.)
By Laura Geggel published
Here's the scoop on ancient human poop.
![Close-up of woman's hands slicing boiled beets on wooden cutting board with a knife at home kitchen.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KqakPhUkdvU6NSa9E2J2E9-320-80.jpg)
Why do beets turn your poop and pee red?
By Anna Gora published
After you've eaten beets, your poop and urine can take on a shocking red or pink color — but why?
![Dog holding shredded toilet paper roll in its mouth in the bathroom.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CchPvHsngcpnmU4tMAcuKM-320-80.jpg)
Why do dogs eat poop?
By Hannah Loss published
Life's Little Mysteries Poop eating is a natural behavior in dogs; although it may disgust humans, it usually poses no threat to your canine's health.
![the rear ends of three adult giraffes standing next to each other](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pVzrHhzDUamWDAPFx3uHm4-320-80.jpg)
Viruses lurking in giraffe and lemur poop could lead to new antibacterial drugs, scientists say
By Nicoletta Lanese published
Scientists uncovered viruses that infect bacteria, called bacteriophages, in animal poop and are testing whether they could work as antibiotics.
![two photos of a small toilet bowl, showing a blue blob of sticky material being dropped into the bowl and sliding down without leaving a mark](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kwRn9fEGBNSAdmmEz68N7P-320-80.jpg)
A new, ridiculously slippery toilet bowl could keep poop from sticking, scientists report
By Victoria Atkinson published
Scientists have made a tiny model of a new, incredibly slippery toilet that poop shouldn't stick to.
![An Andean condor chick in a nest surrounded by guano.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Bg5DbYY3bpaSEcLVZ6n5jB-320-80.jpg)
Scientists discovered a 2,200-year-old condor poop pile in the Andes. Here's what it told them.
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
Scientists dug into a 2,200-year-old pile of Andean condor poop to study the species’ diet and changes in habitat.
![Jewel damselfish are becoming less territorial and less aggresive due to the presence of invasive rats on nearby islands.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sAM4U7248ZskTynaCELqAJ-320-80.jpg)
Invasive rats are changing how reef fish behave. It's because there's not enough bird poop.
By Harry Baker published
Jewel damselfish living on coral reefs surrounding rat-infested tropical islands have become less territorial and less aggressive due to a bizarre ecological link between the two species: bird poop.
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