Since i heard and saw a raccoon in our yard week or so ago, i moved our Scarecrow (motion activated water sprinkler) over by the side of the yard i saw the critter. And since then, i leap out of bed whenever i hear it go off. i have a teeny flashlight that i can sometimes see into the dark with. Otherwise, i sprint to the other side of our house, turn on the large floodlights in back, and try to catch a glimpse. My husband just loves my 3-4am antics (as that is about the time critters emerge).
Anyhow, so far i have found we have not one but four raccoons that waltz through our backyard every couple of nights, one regular size possum, one possum the size of a mack truck, and now one mystery animal. From what i have been able to glimpse, it looks like a medium size dog, bushy fur, narrow legs. i've never been quick enough to catch a good look, it moves too fast. It also appears to move like a dog. i saw it last night, in the distance, turn by rearing up it's front feet, leaping, then quickly moving off. i've never seen raccoons or possums move like that.
One idea is that it's a coyote. But i'm not aware we have them here. i've never heard howling in the night. We are on (almost) half an acre, but in a residential neighborhood, neighbors on both sides and behind. A coyote would have to go through at least one other back yard to get to ours. Fences in the back are low wire fences, maybe 4' tall, easy for just about anything to get over. Luckily, nothing has gotten to our chickens yet.
i'm going to put our night vision baby monitor out in back tonight and hope to get a good glimpse. He's been here two nights in a row now. i kinda hope it's just a neighbor dog passing through.
Anyhow, so far i have found we have not one but four raccoons that waltz through our backyard every couple of nights, one regular size possum, one possum the size of a mack truck, and now one mystery animal. From what i have been able to glimpse, it looks like a medium size dog, bushy fur, narrow legs. i've never been quick enough to catch a good look, it moves too fast. It also appears to move like a dog. i saw it last night, in the distance, turn by rearing up it's front feet, leaping, then quickly moving off. i've never seen raccoons or possums move like that.
One idea is that it's a coyote. But i'm not aware we have them here. i've never heard howling in the night. We are on (almost) half an acre, but in a residential neighborhood, neighbors on both sides and behind. A coyote would have to go through at least one other back yard to get to ours. Fences in the back are low wire fences, maybe 4' tall, easy for just about anything to get over. Luckily, nothing has gotten to our chickens yet.
i'm going to put our night vision baby monitor out in back tonight and hope to get a good glimpse. He's been here two nights in a row now. i kinda hope it's just a neighbor dog passing through.
