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At Fossil Butte National Monument, in Wyoming, restrooms are decorated with coprolites, which is prehistoric fossilized poop from 52 million years ago, found in the area. (reddthat.com)

submitted 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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https://www.nps.gov/fobu/planyourvisit/visitorcenterexhibits.htm

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Briefly, can someone explain how one forms? Why don't they just biodegrade?

[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Most fossils happen when something gets covered by soil or sand or whatever before it's had a chance to decompose. Over eons, the organic material gradually transforms into stone, but it retain it's shape.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago

I understand how fossils work, but I assumed that scat would be more likely to break down compared with flesh and bone. If you see scat in the woods it's usually gone by the next day. otoh, if it were placed before a massive dust cloud landed, I guess that the lack of oxygen would slow the process.