Feces

What Are Feces?

Feces are the solid bits left over after our bodies digest food. They are made in the large intestine, where tiny living things called bacteria help break down what we ate. Feces leave our bodies through a part called the anus, or in some animals, through a structure called the cloaca.

Why Are Feces Important?

Feces help keep our planet healthy. They can be used as fertilizer or soil conditioner to help plants grow strong. In some places, dried feces are burned for fuel or used in building things. Scientists even find ways to use human feces to help people stay healthy.

Fun Facts About Feces

• Feces often smell because of chemicals like skatole and sulfur compounds.
• Many tiny animals, like dung beetles, eat feces to get food.
• When animals eat fruit, the seeds can pass through their feces and grow into new plants far away.
• Babies first pass a special waste called meconium, which looks different from normal feces.