Northeast Texas (or any other) wildlife guys: what makes these divots in the yard?

[haggardfan1]

They aren't destructive enough for an armadillo, and a little more aggressive than the cone-shaped signs a skunk leaves. Been there and done both, since I've lived here.

These are about three feet apart, and have occurred since I finished mowing about 2-3 hours ago.

They're obviously fresh and I'm mystified. Normally the only creatures that follow my mowing immediately are birds. Never known any to dig like this...

 

[brookdalebill]

Wild hog?

 

[haggardfan1]

Wild hog?

I don't know. It's unlikely, in this neighborhood, in daylight, but in Texas it certainly isn't out of the question.
I'm at the edge of our small town, but it isn't isolated by any means. It's like a little suburban area.

I have seen deer, rabbits, the biggest old skunk I ever saw who eventually got run over , one armadillo, and tons of squirrels. All in my yard, or the close neighbors '. I hear coyotes close by, but they don't come around the house that I know of, and they seldom dig unless they're desperate.

 

[stxrus]

My guess would be hogs but they normally create a bigger mess. I’ve seen hogs tear up a yard that is cataclysmic in their destruction.

A single divot like in the pix could be deer or something else.

 

[teletimetx]

Maybe armadillo - I’ve seen ‘em scratching at the ground looking for grubs.

 

[Dismalhead]

Am I tripping or are all those the same picture?

 

[TwoBear]

I got squirrels tree squirrels leaving Divots in my yard like that. I think they’re hiding their nuts, we’ll see them pop down and dig something out of the ground. Candy is approaching 80 and it’s all peace and love! Sheba the cat on the other hand is a stone cold killer! i’ve seen her snatch a hummingbird out of the sky, and a 3 AM door check, found her in the front yard face and paws all red with a glazed bloodlust in her eyes, munching on the head of some critter, half her size. Summertime is a full-time job dispensing with her kills!

I had a dialogue with her, and she assured me that after these constant rains, she’s gonna move them to the top of her board. She’s just taking a little R&R, Which she is free to do whatever she wants. She doesn’t even have to clear it with HR. She’s OG triple OG!!!

 

[TwoBear]

Am I tripping or are all those the same picture?

I’m pretty sure I only posted my pictures Once, but I got some doubles also

 

[stxrus]

Maybe armadillo - I’ve seen ‘em scratching at the ground looking for grubs.

You may need an Armadillo Fence. 6” above ground and 6’ below grade. Those suckers can’t jump/climb for squat but they can seriously dig

 

[haggardfan1]

My guess would be hogs but they normally create a bigger mess. I’ve seen hogs tear up a yard that is cataclysmic in their destruction.

A single divot like in the pix could be deer or something else.

There is a high concentration of dogs in this neighborhood. Surely someone would have barked; possibly even mine, at a hog.

Am I tripping or are all those the same picture?

No. They are very similar, but that's how uniform the four digs are. Only one is in opposite direction from the others.

 

[LowerAlabama]

Armadillo looking for grubs. Spread some insect killer in your yard. They mostly come out out at night.

 

[haggardfan1]

I would almost suspect a deer, or armadillo, given how unobtrusive both are.

 

[Engine Swap]

+1 on squirrels.

 

[haggardfan1]

Armadillo looking for grubs. Spread some insect killer in your yard. They mostly come out out at night.

If that's what it is, I won't try to deter them. This is a rental house, I don't garden, and the only possible concern I would have is that I'd walk my dogs at night and they'd go berserk if they saw a 'dillo.

They do somewhat resemble deer scratches, but it would have to have come and gone like a ghost. Which they are capable of!

 

[TwoBear]

The rains have brought grass. That’s covered them all over but here’s one in the planter.

 

[haggardfan1]

+1 on squirrels.

I didn't think of that. I see them burying pecans all the time. Stands to reason they would dig em up in spring, and after mowing kinda makes sense.

Duh, on my part. I betcha.

 

[RoscoeElegante]

Around here (southwest part of Virginia), possums are plentiful and do some weird things. But that looks like skunk mischief, to me.

 

[TwoBear]

Armadillo looking for grubs. Spread some insect killer in your yard. They mostly come out out at night.

I thought that was Edgar Winter?

 

[Red Ryder]

More than likely squirrels pulling up their winter stash. Anything else would be a more continuous dig.

 

[Skydog1010]

Norway Rats

I recommend tracking powder if you don't have pets.