Intestines of non-uniform stiffness mold the corners of wombat feces

Wombats are the only known animals that produce cube-shaped droppings, which they stack on rocks to mark territory. Nobody knew how they made the corners.

By studying wombat intestines, the team found the gut walls have stiff and soft sections. Over the last stretch, these gently shape everything into neat cubes. Engineers think it could inspire new manufacturing.