River otters are unequivocally cute. But their eating habits are not so adorable. Most animals—humans included—separate the place where they defecate from the place where they eat. But river otters ...

New research finds that a popular class of antiparasitics can linger in pet feces for quite some time, potentially posing a ...

North American river otters eat, play and defecate in the same place. And their unhealthy habits make them ideal for detecting future health threats in the environment. Kristen Goodhue A North ...

Three North American river otters play in the snow on the docks of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Detected with SERC’s night-vision wildlife cameras. North American river otters have ...

Multiple types of parasitic worms can be passed from dogs to humans, including roundworms and hookworms. Practicing good hygiene is the best way to prevent worms from spreading. If you suspect your ...

DNA within dried feces dating from more than 1,000 years ago provides valuable insights into the pathogens that plagued ancient Mexican peoples, according to a study published October 22, 2025 in the ...

A parasite that makes rodents unafraid of cats could be giving people the courage to become entrepreneurs, researchers told NBC News. People infected with Toxoplasma gondii were more likely to have ...

Researchers have recently unearthed coprolites, or fossilized feces, from Mexico’s ‘Cave of the Dead Children’ that date back 1,300 years. These ancient excrements are teeming with parasites, shedding ...