Many creatures rip up lawns. In Nova Scotia, moles, voles, birds, skunks and raccoons are often the culprits. Though you might have some suspicions as to what is doing the ripping, the only way to be sure is to catch the lawn ripper in action. This morning I was lucky.
Though usually nocturnal, this raccoon was still looking for a meal as the sun was rising. Raccoons have the manual dexterity to peel back the grass and moss to reveal tasty grubs and worms living beneath the surface. Their ripping actions can leave large enough areas bare that a lawn is damaged.
Moles and voles, being smaller creatures, do smaller damage. They also typically make trails or furrows in the grass.
Northern Flickers are birds that will also make holes in the lawn by digging for ants with their beaks. Their holes are made by a digging action rather than a peeling back.
This little darling gave me a good look before deciding to head for cover in the woods. It was probably also tired after a long night of foraging.
A former neighbor told me much of her beautiful lawn was peeled back by raccoons some years ago. After many attempts to deter them, she ended up live-trapping the critters. They were then re-located by the Ministry of Natural Resources.
I don’t take the appearance of my lawn too seriously, so the lawn ripper is welcome to the insects in my yard. I just wish it would have the courtesy to replace the divots.
For more information on dealing with nuisance raccoons in Nova Scotia, visit Nova Scotia’s Department of Natural Resources.
Oh we have known many a lawn-ripper “friend”! In our neck of the woods it seems to mostly be skunks digging holes. We don’t take the appearance of our lawn too seriously either, but sometimes it can get quite scarred. Darn, why don’t they replace the divots? So impressed that you caught a photo of Jack the Ripper. Good sleuthing work!
Kathy, I was replacing the divots again this morning. Looks like Jack was back.
Sweet little face on that “little washing bear,” Amy-Lynn. What do you suppose dinner was? Grubs? Beetles? Smorgasbord?
Pamela, I’ve never heard them called ‘little washing bears’ before. I think the smorgasbord probably included a nice selection of grubs, worms, June bugs and salamanders.
Oh my goodness. We have nothing like them in the UK, but we do have moles who are not too choosey about whose garden they dig into. I shall be retiring to Nova Scotia next year, so shall be aware not to get too fond of my lawn! Am enjoying your blog
Lynne, they are also attracted by the suet balls that are usually put out for birds in winter.
See:
http://flandrumhill.wordpress.com/2010/02/08/when-bandits-strike/
Think of it as a major aeration job !
Sybil
Sybil, thanks for seeing the up-side
I wish the raccoons would rip up the vegetation in my yard. It needs a good overhaul.
Good job on the little bandit–they’re bold. S/he was probably calculating whether s/he could take you in a fair fight.
Gerry, I don’t think I’d want to get into a squabble with a raccoon. Whenever I walk off the trail in the woods I’m always concerned about stepping on one napping in a spot where the vegetation is thick and deep.
We have moles/voles that leave smallish bumps all over – like all of you, we’re not too concerned about it….thanx to Sybil, I will now think of it as “aeration” – it’s a good thing!
Cool photos, Miss Amy!!!
Cindy, I’ve seen moles and voles in my yard, but none of their tunneling projects except in the snow.
..little darling
In the light of its activity, that is very sweet of you. I am happy
Swaps, I saw the little darling again this morning
I’d rather see it than the grubs.
We have never had racoons digging in the yard here in NY – probably too many rocks. When I lived in Florida, the armadillos were always digging in the lawn. I think they were after mole crickets.
Armadillos are one of those creatures that are so ugly they’re cute.
MDW
Forestrat, there are lots of rocks in the lawn here too. I’m guessing your environment might have offered them other tastier choices of fare.
We don’t have any armadillos in Nova Scotia (yet). They’re certainly strange-looking little creatures and would be quite a novelty in these parts.
[...] more about raccoons see: The Lawn Ripper and When Bandits [...]