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Glad I Always Bring Hand Sanitizer With Me

February 16, 2014 By: Masshole Mommy

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My family are regulars at Roger Williams Zoo in Providence.  We have had a membership there since my oldest was two years old (that’s seven years for those of you who are keeping track). Sometimes, depending on the day, there are docents (volunteers) around the zoo that help to teach guests about the animals there.

On our last visit, which was about two weeks ago, we ran into a docent over by the elephant exhibit that was holding something that looked quite interesting.  Sure enough it was elephant poop.

The docent asked the gruesome twosome if they wanted to touch or hold it – don’t freak out, it was shellacked, so it was safe to touch. The boys weren’t sure about it at first:

holding-elephant-poop-roger-williams-zoo-rhode-island-both-looking

My little man ran away and wanted no part of it at all, but my nine year old was a little bit braver.  He was leery, but he touched it.

holding-elephant-poop-roger-williams-zoo-rhode-island-not-sure

And then docent just handed it to him and that was that:

holding-elephant-poop-roger-williams-zoo-rhode-island

Oddly enough, this was not his his first encounter with animal poop.  Here he is in 2009 with my friend Julie at the Animal Kingdom in Disney World holding some Rhino poop (also shellacked).

rhino poop

Side note: look how little and cute he was.  This picture was taken two days before his fifth birthday (four and 1/2 years ago).

How about you?  Have you ever touched animal poop?


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Comments

  1. Kelley Beckett says

    February 16, 2014 at 7:28 am

    Well, there’s something you don’t get to do everyday. And twice in his young life…who would have thunk

  2. kristimaloney says

    February 16, 2014 at 7:43 am

    Now this is a first for me. I didn’t know they shellacked poop like that! For research purposes, right? 😉 lol Both of your son’s picture are really cute. 😉

  3. Chris says

    February 16, 2014 at 7:59 am

    In South Dakota at the fairs they have buffalo poop throwing contests

  4. Gina says

    February 16, 2014 at 8:25 am

    OMG -no!! Shellacked or not, no way! Yuck! My boys probably would though!

  5. Janine Huldie says

    February 16, 2014 at 8:59 am

    Sorry, but I would not ever want to touch that. Just the thought makes my skin crawl. But loved that last flashback picture and definitely can’t believe how much he has grown in the last few years 🙂

  6. DawnC says

    February 16, 2014 at 11:02 am

    That’s neat that they allow something like that. I also have to admit that I am so glad I’m not cleaning up their poop. That thing is huge! lol

  7. Fabulous Perks says

    February 16, 2014 at 11:17 am

    Touching animal poop isn’t so bad! I was born in Jamaica, I spent eight years of my life there. Long story short we have all sorts of animals running around. When I was about 16 my mom told me when I was a baby she caught me eating bird poopy. Lol I gagged at the thought. I hope she was kidding.

  8. Rosey says

    February 16, 2014 at 11:18 am

    Sadly, I have…when my son’s little dog was getting potty trained.

    LOL on shellacked poo… what a job that must be!

  9. Debbie L. says

    February 16, 2014 at 11:32 am

    Animal poop! Nope I don’t think I have even touched it!! I have stepped in it barefooted! But touched on purpose – nope. I’m not so sure I would of touched it!

  10. Lois Alter Mark says

    February 16, 2014 at 11:41 am

    Well, he can check that off his bucket list now! That elephant poop is BIG!

  11. Amber Nelson says

    February 16, 2014 at 1:09 pm

    I am kind of a hand sanitizer freak too. But hey, it is good to have it with you. You just never know!

  12. Scott @ SahmReviews.com says

    February 16, 2014 at 1:14 pm

    Not on purpose! Well, other than picking up after the dog…

  13. Carla Bruns (@RealInto) says

    February 16, 2014 at 2:46 pm

    I would so not want to touch the animal poop. Shellaced or not. The fact that the cat makes me scoop his litter box a million times a day is way too much for me and I have a scooper for that.

  14. indah nuria Savitri says

    February 16, 2014 at 2:49 pm

    hmmm,,,,…I guess I have..but couldn’t remember which animal..or when :D..han sanitizer to the rescue :D…

  15. Teena in Toronto says

    February 16, 2014 at 3:51 pm

    Just by mistake when I’m cleaning out the litter box 🙂

    That’s a big poo!

  16. Amanda Ripsam says

    February 16, 2014 at 5:31 pm

    No. I use plastic bags turned inside out and pull it up inside right to make sure I dont touch the poop.

  17. Ave says

    February 16, 2014 at 6:10 pm

    No, I haven’t touched the animal poop 😀 But seems like kids had a lot of fun while learning new things at the zoo.

  18. Lawna says

    February 16, 2014 at 6:11 pm

    I would have needed a whole truck full to touch that! I bet my kids would have freaked out, hahaha!

  19. Lady Lilith says

    February 16, 2014 at 6:19 pm

    No I have never touched animal poop. I like taking my girls to the zoo and we participate in all hands on activities but this would be a first. Although we once walked through a pile of compost.

  20. Nicole Brady says

    February 16, 2014 at 6:56 pm

    Have I ever touched animal poop? For entertainment, no. For necessity, yes. Kind of came with the territory of living in the country in Iowa. LOL Although I can’t say I had ever heard of anyone shellacking it before!

  21. sparkling74 says

    February 16, 2014 at 7:31 pm

    OUr big science thing every year in elementary school was to dissect owl pellets which are what the owl throws up after digesting most of the animal. The bones and fur and feathers get balled up into pellets. We used to break up the pellets and then try to figure out which animal bones were inside. That was totally pre hand sanitizer and yet, I live to tell you this tale!

  22. Beth says

    February 16, 2014 at 7:41 pm

    I grew up on a farm so I’ve had far too much experience with poop, lol. Great pics.

  23. allthingscreative11 says

    February 16, 2014 at 9:05 pm

    Eww no thanks lol. My son would probably be all over that though.

  24. Nichol says

    February 16, 2014 at 9:06 pm

    Ugh, and there it goes again, my friends profile popping up from me helping her. Oh well. Anyways, no thanks for me, but my son would be all over that. Kids are gross lol.

  25. roadrunnerfloristbasketexpress says

    February 16, 2014 at 9:24 pm

    The pictures of your boy is adorable! Such great expressions!! He has quite a story to tell! Imagine being the person whose job it is to shellack that poop!

  26. T. Marie says

    February 16, 2014 at 9:29 pm

    Wow! I have never seen, heard of, or touched shellacked poop of any kind. lol. That does seeem like an interesting experience though. Definitely something to tell the girl he brings home. 😛

  27. bellanna3 says

    February 16, 2014 at 9:54 pm

    LOL…that is so funny!What a great photo montage of “poop” holding for your gruesome twosome! LOL

  28. juli says

    February 16, 2014 at 10:24 pm

    Yeah… Mr. Chewey (our cat) is getting old (14). Sometimes … it’s necessary.

  29. Aly Mashrah says

    February 16, 2014 at 10:26 pm

    Haha that’s so strange. I’ve never touched animal poop… baby poop? Plenty of times unfortunately lol

  30. Alissa Apel says

    February 16, 2014 at 11:54 pm

    That’s interesting. I don’t think I’ve ever touched other animal’s poop. My boys think it’s funny when we go to a dino museum and see fossilized dino poop.

  31. toughcookiemommy says

    February 17, 2014 at 12:25 am

    Yuck! Your boys were certainly very brave to even handle it. I think my boys would have been fascinated with it too.

  32. Ai Sakura says

    February 17, 2014 at 12:26 am

    Erm noooo.. we were at the zoo yesterday and walked pass some fresh elephant poop. I immediately gagged 😛 Your son is very brave to touch the poop heh

    Ai @ Sakura Haruka

  33. Ashley Wintters says

    February 17, 2014 at 12:32 am

    Unfortunately I dealt with animal poop all my life on the farm….though I don’t think I was ever as happy to touch it as your son looks to be!!! 🙂

  34. Pam says

    February 17, 2014 at 2:38 am

    He was adorable and still is. Growing up on a farm, I am sure I touched animal poop numerous times but never shellacked, LOL.

  35. Jessica says

    February 17, 2014 at 10:03 am

    Well that is one BIG ball of poop! As gross as it is, my daughter would have LOVED everything about this. She has a thing for the icky stuff. That would have been one awesome souvenir to bring home LOL!

  36. My Journey With Candida says

    February 17, 2014 at 11:11 am

    Shellaced or not…. I wouldn’t touch that big turd. That thing looks like it could be shot out of a cannon and hurt someone.

  37. Candy @ Candypolooza says

    February 17, 2014 at 2:02 pm

    If I have, it hasn’t be shellaced so it wasn’t a fun experience. LOL It’s amazing how children grow so fast 🙁

  38. Amy Desrosiers says

    February 17, 2014 at 3:01 pm

    Gosh, I grew up touching animal poop on a farm. BUT no cow, or goat poops that big of a load!! Wow…

  39. Isabella Grey says

    February 17, 2014 at 3:06 pm

    Ha! I love it! Fun fact, the Rhino and the Elephant have similar scat shapes and colors because they have the same type of digestive tract, and eat the same sorts of vegetation. They’re monogastric species, just like humans are! because, that’s a normal conversation topic…right?

  40. Shell says

    February 17, 2014 at 3:22 pm

    My boys would think that was awesome! Or maybe just want to throw it at each other. LOL

  41. Eliz Frank says

    February 17, 2014 at 4:55 pm

    OMG! Only you Robin will show us cow dung or the equivalent… Love it! 🙂

  42. Heather says

    February 17, 2014 at 5:25 pm

    Yuck!!

  43. [email protected] says

    February 17, 2014 at 6:08 pm

    it’s so funny that zoos save these kinds of things. poop humor gets kids everytime!

  44. Lindsey @ Redhead Baby Mama says

    February 17, 2014 at 7:00 pm

    poop will ALWAYS be funny to me. Fart jokes are also up there! We carry hand wipes for stuff like this, too! 🙂

  45. ladymarielle says

    February 17, 2014 at 8:41 pm

    Wow what a little cutie pie! Then and now! I don’t know about touching poop shellacked or not lol

  46. Jennifer Soltys says

    February 17, 2014 at 8:42 pm

    Come on!! A big dung ball? LOL ew. He looks adorable, though.

  47. Liz Mays says

    February 17, 2014 at 8:51 pm

    Not on purpose, but I slipped in goose poo and got some on my hands once. Nasty!

  48. Paige says

    February 17, 2014 at 9:03 pm

    I touch enough poop at work. I think I’ll pass on fossilized poop!

  49. Cara says

    February 17, 2014 at 9:03 pm

    That’s a lot of poop! We’ve have dogs,and we have had birds in the past so sadly I have touched animal poop. URGH!

  50. Kecia (@KeciaHambrick) says

    February 17, 2014 at 9:32 pm

    I don’t think of a time I’ve touched animal poop accidentally. I don’t think I’d do it on purpose either!

  51. Jaime says

    February 17, 2014 at 9:46 pm

    I’ve never touched animal poop, on purpose, at least. Not sure if I could really go there. 😉

  52. Rorybore says

    February 17, 2014 at 10:25 pm

    I grew up spending most of my time on a farm.
    You do NOT even want to know. trust.

  53. brett says

    February 17, 2014 at 10:32 pm

    not by choice. nor for fun.

    and never shellacked.

  54. Theresa says

    February 17, 2014 at 10:34 pm

    My daughter is the proud owner of elephant poop paper. When we were at the Toledo Zoo, she couldn’t resist buying a notebook made from recycled elephant poop.

  55. Musings on Motherhood and Mid-Life says

    February 17, 2014 at 11:37 pm

    Is this a thing now–shellacking animal poop? So funny; glad your son has a can-do spirit.

  56. Amanda McMahon says

    February 17, 2014 at 11:47 pm

    Is it bad that I’m wondering how they shellack the poop??

  57. Chrysa Duran (@ThriftyJinxy) says

    February 18, 2014 at 1:00 am

    Oh freaky! I actually have touched animal poop – when picking up after my dog and not realizing there was a hole in the bag!

  58. casavilorainteriors says

    February 18, 2014 at 1:04 am

    Hmmmmm. I would have to pass on this! Super gross. Lol. But I guess awesome story for the grand kids one day. Lol

  59. Katherine Bartlett (@KBWhiskey) says

    February 18, 2014 at 2:21 am

    Other than cleaning up my birds and my duck and rabbit, no, I don’t touch poop!

  60. Debbie Denny says

    February 18, 2014 at 8:04 am

    That is funny! We have Chip throwing contests here (buffalo and cow poop) lol

  61. amushro says

    February 18, 2014 at 8:26 am

    Ha! Sounds like something my son would try. Boys!!!

  62. wendy @ ABCs and Garden Peas says

    February 18, 2014 at 8:37 am

    If there’s one thing I’ve learned about little boys, it’s that POOP IS FUN. To them, at least. And you definitely left me with a reminder to savor the day. My boy is 4 1/2 and growing WAY too fast!

  63. Terin Garrett says

    February 18, 2014 at 8:46 am

    Haha! Who knew poop could look so cute?!

  64. Alison says

    February 18, 2014 at 9:27 am

    The only animal poop I’ve touched has been my dog’s… and it was an accident! LOL. He is brave!

  65. Amanda says

    February 18, 2014 at 10:50 am

    My son would have gotten such a kick out of that!! Well maybe not holding it but getting someone else to hold it! 🙂

  66. SixFeetUnderBlog says

    February 18, 2014 at 11:52 am

    Haha. How brave of him to do that. Boys and dirt, rocks, and poop! lol

  67. Jennifer says

    February 18, 2014 at 11:57 am

    yep, that’s pretty gross. lol. Can’t say I’ve even held poop.

  68. Ashley M says

    February 18, 2014 at 12:58 pm

    OH my gosh, boys will touch some of the grosest things! lol Love how happy he looks about it though.

  69. A Mom's Take says

    February 18, 2014 at 1:36 pm

    That’s huge!! Looks like a whole coconut! Nasty, I wouldn’t touch it! LOL.

  70. Krystal says

    February 18, 2014 at 1:39 pm

    I thought it was a coconut at first! How funny.

  71. Jen V says

    February 18, 2014 at 3:09 pm

    Shellacked or not, I don’t think I would touch it 🙂 My son probably would though.

  72. shaunatorres says

    February 18, 2014 at 3:35 pm

    Oh my goodness, my kids would probably be all over touching it… ewww…

  73. adashofsanity says

    February 18, 2014 at 4:23 pm

    The title cracked me up and then all the poop…lol! My boys would love it!

  74. Amy Elizabeth says

    February 18, 2014 at 4:27 pm

    I probably wouldn’t m,ind if it was shellacked, but I am not a fan of poop from any type of animal 😉

  75. Alexis Peloquin says

    February 18, 2014 at 4:42 pm

    Wow how times flies and to have the poop memory … lol

  76. Jennifer Brazil says

    February 18, 2014 at 4:56 pm

    LOL I think both my boys would have been very into the poop thing!

  77. Mariana (@ohMariana) says

    February 18, 2014 at 5:28 pm

    Shellacked poop… interesting. I can imagine someone having a collection of that! Your son has gotten so big!

  78. Marvelous Mommy says

    February 18, 2014 at 6:26 pm

    Haha the 3rd pic is great! I’ve never had the opportunity to touch elephant poop!

  79. Eliz Frank says

    February 18, 2014 at 6:30 pm

    I remember this one… so funny. Will tweet it.

  80. melissa weintraub (@dentistmel) says

    February 18, 2014 at 6:46 pm

    Oh my! When we were in Thailand, we did the exact same thing! I will always remember it!!

  81. Kenda Smith (@RemakingJune) says

    February 18, 2014 at 6:54 pm

    I might touch it…quickly lol My four year old would want to carry it around! He loves things like that. (then his dad would whip out the Purel lol)

  82. Pam W says

    February 18, 2014 at 8:06 pm

    I can’t imagine having to be the person who shellacs animal poop. My daughter would have wanted to hold that when she was younger, but my son would have been the one chasing everyone down with Purel.

  83. Cyndie Norell says

    February 18, 2014 at 8:14 pm

    No, I have never touched anumal poop. At least, not on purpose.

  84. Amanda Love says

    February 18, 2014 at 8:28 pm

    I’m not a big fan of any kind of poop. Don’t even like the baby kind. Your son is a lot braver than me. 🙂

  85. Beeb Ashcroft (@hardertobreathe) says

    February 18, 2014 at 8:50 pm

    That’s hilarious that he has photos with not one, but two different kinds of shellacked poop! When I was 6, my parents took me to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, and they had this box where you would put your hands in and feel different things, then open the lid and see what it was. I remember opening one of the boxes and seeing that I had just gotten a handful of fossilized dinosaur poop. LOL!!

  86. Pauline Cab says

    February 18, 2014 at 10:18 pm

    That’s one big poop! I never thought that animals can have a huge poop as big as that!

  87. Elizabeth Towns says

    February 18, 2014 at 10:53 pm

    I was gonna say “How often is it that you get to hold elephant poop?” Since it’s his second time, I guess I can’t use that line! Boy I’d hate to have that in my toilet. Woowee!

  88. mamatomanyblessings says

    February 18, 2014 at 11:38 pm

    disgusting! Hand sanitizer would not be enough for me, I would be in the bathroom scrubbing with soap and water. I got a chuckle at the women at the zoo holding it like it was a basketball! LOL!

  89. Janeane Davis says

    February 19, 2014 at 12:31 am

    I have never voluntarily touched animal waste. Cleaning up after the household pets is as close as I come and that is not voluntary.

  90. Robyn says

    February 19, 2014 at 1:04 am

    My husband is obsessed with hand sanitizer. I hate the smell.

  91. Amanda W says

    February 19, 2014 at 2:22 am

    Eeek I couldn’t do it! Can’t say that I’ve ever held animal poop before

  92. The *New* Classy (@TheNewClassy) says

    February 19, 2014 at 4:04 am

    I have had to clean up the occasional pet poop, but I can’t say I have ever touched one just for the fun of it, lol. As long as your boy that likes to touch the poop doesn’t shellac his own, you are good. 😉

  93. Carlee C says

    February 19, 2014 at 4:44 am

    I have unwillingly had to clean up animal poop so I guess that is a yes. Looks like your little guy enjoyed it, sounds like something fun to brag about.

  94. Chrishelle Ebner says

    February 19, 2014 at 8:31 am

    I have touched animal poop. Nothing as exotic as elephant, just some little goat pellets. Looks like your kids is really enjoying his time at the zoo.

  95. Claudia Krusch says

    February 19, 2014 at 8:47 am

    That must have been a neat experience, just don’t think my son would be up for it. Looks like your kids had a blast, though!

  96. Henrietta says

    February 19, 2014 at 9:41 am

    Great photos! So funny that they have shellacked elephant and rhino poop! Of course I’ve touched poop — I have chickens and grew up around chickens, goats and menagerie of animals =)

  97. ecavalla says

    February 19, 2014 at 2:23 pm

    oh my goodness- that is one big poop 🙂

  98. Terra Heck (@partymix25) says

    February 20, 2014 at 3:21 am

    Elephant poo sure is big! My kids have done the same thing, touched shellacked poo, at a zoo.

  99. HilLesha says

    February 20, 2014 at 3:04 pm

    I barely like changing a baby’s dirty diaper, so heck no! I don’t blame your little guy – I’d have probably ran off, too.

  100. Dollops of Diane says

    February 22, 2014 at 9:56 pm

    I think it’s funny that you happen to have pictures of him both times with the poop. Only you!

  101. Nolie says

    February 23, 2014 at 7:27 pm

    Ewwww why would anyone want to touch poop? That’s it I am taking a pic of dinosaur poop just for you next time I am at the nature museum here.

  102. Kim @ What's That Smell? says

    February 26, 2014 at 1:56 pm

    Holy cow that is some HUGE POOP. And I thought my 90 lbs golden retriever left a huge pile.

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Masshole Mommy is a family and lifestyle blog based in Boston, MA. Here you will find parenting tips, recipes, crafts, travel tips and lots of other fun stuff!

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