# Ok, what kind of gross animal did this in my laundry room? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 31, 2007, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-what-kind-of-gross-animal-did-this-in-my-laundry-room/390226 "2007-01-31T04:00:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2007, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-what-kind-of-gross-animal-did-this-in-my-laundry-room/390226/41 "2007-02-05T03:06:55Z")
The good thing about a goose infestation is that they make a delicious meal once captured. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2007, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-what-kind-of-gross-animal-did-this-in-my-laundry-room/390226/42 "2007-02-05T03:59:48Z")
Don’t be ridiculous. Geese can’t cook. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2007, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-what-kind-of-gross-animal-did-this-in-my-laundry-room/390226/43 "2007-02-05T09:22:31Z")
No, silly - **Laggard** obviously means they can be ground into powder, suitable for making bread and porridge. ---
**Author:** ![Seven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Seven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seven)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2007, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-what-kind-of-gross-animal-did-this-in-my-laundry-room/390226/44 "2007-02-05T11:02:53Z")
I often take a gander down the goose meal isle in the store. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2007, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-what-kind-of-gross-animal-did-this-in-my-laundry-room/390226/45 "2007-02-05T11:11:08Z")
It’s worth noting that goose meal sauce can also be used in conjunction with gander meal. ---
**Author:** ![SeaCanary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@SeaCanary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaCanary)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-what-kind-of-gross-animal-did-this-in-my-laundry-room/390226/46 "2007-02-07T17:25:13Z")
jcheckwood - 1. Have any of the bait stations or rat traps been tripped and there’s no carcass? 2. Has any of the non-poisonous bait been taken without snapping the traps? ---
**Author:** ![furryman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/furryman/32/99_2.png) [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-what-kind-of-gross-animal-did-this-in-my-laundry-room/390226/47 "2007-02-07T18:05:25Z")
Those are fewmets. You’ve got a baby dragon infestation. Careful! They can breath fire as young as six months. I’ve always wanted to use the word “fewmets”. ---
**Author:** ![butler1850](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@butler1850](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/butler1850)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-what-kind-of-gross-animal-did-this-in-my-laundry-room/390226/48 "2007-02-07T19:39:15Z")
[QUOTE=Seven] I often take a gander down the goose meal isle in the store. [/QUOTE] Your stores are big enough for an entire island??? (isle) ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-what-kind-of-gross-animal-did-this-in-my-laundry-room/390226/49 "2007-02-07T19:43:33Z")
[QUOTE=Seven] I often take a gander down the goose meal isle in the store. [/QUOTE] And Goose Meal Isle would be a terrific name for an island… ---
**Author:** ![cards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecd19e/32.png) [@cards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cards)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-what-kind-of-gross-animal-did-this-in-my-laundry-room/390226/50 "2007-02-07T19:55:43Z")
You need a real expert. Calling **lieu.** ---
**Author:** ![CannyDan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cannydan/32/548_2.png) [@CannyDan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CannyDan)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-what-kind-of-gross-animal-did-this-in-my-laundry-room/390226/51 "2007-02-07T19:57:55Z")
All right, you’ve got me. All these years reading SDMB, never once feeling compelled to display my own stupidity… But scatology AND base canards against opossums? THAT did it. These do look like possum poop. A juvenile 'possum could have gained entry through any of the aforementioned access points. Presumably it left the same way. Enticements to stay would primarily involve food. Leftovers on the floor, other animal poop scattered around, or (favorite of favorites) roaches. Assuming from your disgust at finding a little bit of a substance I work alongside every day, I’ll assume you have none of the above available to foraging wildlife. Thus my assumption that the critter departed after defacing your floor. As for all those other traits ascribed to 'possums (vicious et cetera) I can tell you with considerable confidence born of experience that nothing could be further from the truth. 'Possums do have more teeth in their heads than any other North American terrestrial animal, but toothiness is no measure of agressive tendencies. I had a friend (well, more an acquaintance) who had far fewer teeth, but he was a really nasty guy to be around after a few drinks. (Probably explains where the teeth went.) Oh, a 'possum will certainly snarl viciously when confronted, and drool copious amounts of smelly spit in the bargain. That and the generally ratty, discheveled appearance are enough to discourage most attackers. But if pressed, the attacker will be treated to that famous 'possum trait that has somehow been absent in this discussion-- playing 'possum. If all the snarling and drooling goes for naught and the attacker (you, for instance, in attempting an eviction from the garage) presses forward, the 'possum may fall over in a dead faint. Presumably this has some evolutionary advantage since many predators refuse to eat carrion. And apparently a fainted 'possum looks enough like last week’s old garbage to limit further attention by, say, a bobcat. So let us not cast unnecessary and untrue aspersions upon our only native marsupial. As for scatology, I’ve seen its usefullness. But that’s a long and different story… ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-what-kind-of-gross-animal-did-this-in-my-laundry-room/390226/52 "2007-02-07T20:03:41Z")
[QUOTE=jcheckwood] I decided to get a membership to the site as I have never found another forum so well versed in animal excrement…and I mean that as a compliment. [/QUOTE] I really want this as my sig line, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Encinitas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Encinitas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Encinitas)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-what-kind-of-gross-animal-did-this-in-my-laundry-room/390226/53 "2007-02-07T20:56:01Z")
**CannyDan** , thanks for standing up for the much maligned 'possum. I adore them. I rescued 3 baby 'possums from my living room in as many days last spring. My cat thought they were cute too. And welcome to the Dope. ---
**Author:** ![brownie55](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f14d63/32.png) [@brownie55](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brownie55)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-what-kind-of-gross-animal-did-this-in-my-laundry-room/390226/54 "2007-02-07T21:10:54Z")
This thread is worth the $14.95 alone. ---
**Author:** ![Girl\_With\_Brain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ea666f/32.png) [@Girl\_With\_Brain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girl_With_Brain)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-what-kind-of-gross-animal-did-this-in-my-laundry-room/390226/55 "2007-02-07T21:45:19Z")
In my opinion this crap is definitely rat poop. I was involved in rat husbandry for over 7 years and have seen every kind of matter these creatures leave behind. Okay so I know some of you are grossed out that I raised rats but these little guys are extremly smart, way smarter than hamsters. I’ve known them to be as smart as a ferret. Anyway, depending on their diet their poop can be quite large. Basically if they eat something they shouldn’t have their individual terds will link together in one long chain. And man there are some pretty big chain terds i’ve seen. Looking at the photos the poop appears to be linked together. Rather than a smooth log it has little dimples in it indicating that these terds are linked together. Hope that helps and hopefully he’s long left the house before the exterminator got there. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![rexneregina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dbc845/32.png) [@rexneregina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rexneregina)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-what-kind-of-gross-animal-did-this-in-my-laundry-room/390226/56 "2007-02-08T04:41:24Z")
I once rescued a squirrel from my cat, and I took it to a wildlife rehabilitator. She had a blind possum named Norma Jean, and it was just the sweetest little thing that you ever did see. It had been hit by a car, and it couldnt really walk, so she called it Gimpy and carried it around in a picnic basket. If it is a little Norma Jean protege, you dont really need an exterminator if your careful. My mom used to just pick them up and toss 'em out when she found them eating our cats food in the garage. but still, that poo is terrifying. ---
**Author:** ![Seven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Seven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seven)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-what-kind-of-gross-animal-did-this-in-my-laundry-room/390226/57 "2007-02-08T09:46:00Z")
To take a break from off-topic silly goose jokes and more towards off-topic opossum story… [QUOTE=rexneregina] I once rescued a squirrel from my cat, and I took it to a wildlife rehabilitator. She had a blind possum named Norma Jean, and it was just the sweetest little thing that you ever did see. It had been hit by a car, and it couldnt really walk, so she called it Gimpy and carried it around in a picnic basket. If it is a little Norma Jean protege, you dont really need an exterminator if your careful. My mom used to just pick them up and toss 'em out when she found them eating our cats food in the garage. but still, that poo is terrifying. [/QUOTE] I met a rescued possum once. Once they are cleaned up they are really kind of cute. This one was very tame, loved to be petted and snuggled against me. This one was rescued from the wild. While the humble opossum may bite from time to time, I can’t agree with “Opossums are nasty, vicious, disgusting creatures”. Any wild animal, taken from the wild and after a couple years becomes a sweet animal that seeks human attention, isn’t vicious. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-what-kind-of-gross-animal-did-this-in-my-laundry-room/390226/58 "2007-02-08T10:58:08Z")
As with that thing in the attic thread, my vote is for mother-in-law scat. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-what-kind-of-gross-animal-did-this-in-my-laundry-room/390226/59 "2007-02-08T11:02:15Z")
[QUOTE=jcheckwood] I decided to get a membership to the site as I have never found another forum so well versed in animal excrement…and I mean that as a compliment. [/QUOTE] Wait 'till you need info on the use an misuse of human excretement. Just ask for Lieu. Welcome to the Boards. ---
**Author:** ![TheBaptiste](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f6c823/32.png) [@TheBaptiste](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheBaptiste)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2007, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-what-kind-of-gross-animal-did-this-in-my-laundry-room/390226/60 "2007-02-20T03:47:37Z")
Just to update this thread, none of the traps have been touched and I have found no more feces (knocking on wood right now). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-what-kind-of-gross-animal-did-this-in-my-laundry-room/390226.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-what-kind-of-gross-animal-did-this-in-my-laundry-room/390226.md?page=4)