Coiling of lugworm feces reveals universal mechanics for the shape of poo
Daniel Bonn
Nature Communications, Published online: 28 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-72566-7 Coiled animal excreta have fascinated naturalists since Darwin’s observations of earthworm castings, yet the physics are poorly understood. Authors study lugworm feces to provide a mechanical framework for fecal shape and how waste disposal in animals creates distinct buckling regimes.