Peered out the back this morning and a portion of our yard had been badly torn up over the night. Almost instantly, the Mrs. suspected those much-maligned G.E. coyotes, though I'm not so sure about this since theres plenty of small animals and pets about the town to keep them busy and from starving.


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I included a #10 envelope in the pics for scale. Note the deep hole in one shot. It's about 5 inches deep.

Other suspects on my short list are deer, possums, racoon, a monster super-squirrel or even a neighbors dog. I must admit though, I've never seen any of these animals do anything like this before, and never covering a 10-foot wide area this fast. I'd like to seek other's opinion on the possible cause. Ideas?

I think it was a raccoon or skunk going for grubs

I can't see the pictures but it could be
reindeer this time of year

Could be, but we used to have a family of racoons living in the old willow tree (gone now) and they never did anything like this. The squirrels would make small holes every now and then.

moles, tank johnson or fish....has to be one of those three.

Skunks.
Click for pic

quote:

Originally posted by Mrs Arten:
Skunks.
Click for pic

I'm sorry Mrs. A but George Krass takes care of Mr. 58's lawn I it will be a cold day in Hell when grubs are found in a lawn under his care. Isn't that right 58?

Can't tell from the picture if the turf is all lose around those holes, but I think it might be from Northern Flickers (woodpecker family) digging for insects.

I was referring to Mrs. A's picture not the deep holes.

Wow. The possible suspect list widens. Even includes Tank now.

looks like the work of a canary no doubt. yeah,,,,for sure. that is the work of a canary, MAYBE a lovebird.

quote:

Originally posted by NATIVEHEAT65:
looks like the work of a canary no doubt. yeah,,,,for sure. that is the work of a canary, MAYBE a lovebird.

Now that's just a wild guess. I know a wild guess when I see (read) one.


If this animal returns and does this again, it might just become visible on Google Earth.

yup, I'd wager on the grubs...

im stickin to the bird

quote:

Originally posted by GESince1958:
Peered out the back this morning and a portion of our yard had been badly torn up over the night. Almost instantly, the Mrs. suspected those much-maligned G.E. coyotes, though I'm not so sure about this since theres plenty of small animals and pets about the town to keep them busy and from starving.


.


I included a #10 envelope in the pics for scale. Note the deep hole in one shot. It's about 5 inches deep.

Other suspects on my short list are deer, possums, racoon, a monster super-squirrel or even a neighbors dog. I must admit though, I've never seen any of these animals do anything like this before, and never covering a 10-foot wide area this fast. I'd like to seek other's opinion on the possible cause. Ideas?

I think its the work of one of those damn builders. They probably sent a survey crew over to see how big your lot is with the hopes of trying to force you out of your home and build a big ugly house in its place.
Actually they are probably shrews. They can be caught in regular old mouse traps baited with peanut butter or bacon. If the kids or family pet might get caught up in the traps then cover them with a coffee can securely weighted or fastened to the ground. They are very tricky and it may take a few times of baiting and resetting the traps to finally catch the few of them that are in your yard.
You may want to look online for more info on the little beasts. They do provide one service though. They eat mice which may be heading for your home to find a nice warm place to stay for the winter.
Until it is torn down that is.
Good Luck.

I'm going with a mole: click here for description
Or here for more.
And: This one is good too.

Bombing run by the WWII plane museum. They were out practicing from DuPage Airport the other day. The damn builders probably gave them a couple cases of PBR to try and run you out.
I hope no shrews,mice,racoons,songbirds,regular birds,skunks,snellings or Fish were hurt during this attack.

Skunks. No question.

definately skunks...

I got proof,,the pogostick people!