We Are Scared Out Here!

[spec]

is this cage just covering just the top of the pool? if a racoon or any other rodent wanted in there, i think chewing through that plastic overnight would be a breeze. I do like that idea tho. possibliy put some 2x12's as sides and a plywood bottom, prolly w holes for drainage. Then i'd agree about it being varmit proof. I thought my rabbit cage was pretty fortifide, came out one morning and there was only 1 rabbit left. What kind of frogs are in there?

[Kurt]

is this cage just covering just the top of the pool? if a racoon or any other rodent wanted in there, i think chewing through that plastic overnight would be a breeze.

Raccoons, Procyon lotor are not rodents. They are from the order Carnivora and not Rodentia, and thus do not have the incisors that rodents have to gnaw through most materials. For a raccoon to chew its way through plastic would take a Herculean effort and is far as the raccoon is concerned, it's just not worth the effort.

Yes, rodents could chew their way through the sides of the pool somewhat easily. However, most rodents do not have any motivation to do so. They don't eat toads. Plain and simple.

[John]

Raccoons aren't rodents, but I don't think you're giving raccoons enough credit. They are smart and if they can see a meal at the other end then they will do what it takes to get it. The same goes for skunks to a lesser degree.

[Greatballzofire]

I wont be putting my toad tub out there anymore. The toads are much happier now; they must have known something I was overlooking, namely the persistence of raccoons and skunks.

One of them chilling out in the water bowl this afternoon. These are California toads (Bufo boreas halophilus)
Bufo boreas halophilus - California Toad

[SethD]

For a raccoon to chew its way through plastic would take a Herculean effort and is far as the raccoon is concerned, it's just not worth the effort.
[/COLOR]

I agree with John on this, raccoons will go to considerable effort to get something they want. I have seen them rip through .25 inch plywood to gain entrance to a chicken house full of chickens, chew through plastic rubbermaid bins to get at the dry dog food inside and and tear a hole through chicken wire to get at turtles in a covered outdoor enclosure. I don't know if they would go to such effort to get at toads which would not be noticed quite so easily, but they are really rather strong animals for their size and should they decide they want to get in badly enough they are probably quite capable of doing so.

[Greatballzofire]

I routinely trap and release raccoons that get in our yard to a safe location away from human habitation. Sometimes the raccoons will actually damage the wire of the cage trying to get out; in fact one time a big boar coon did get out through a hole he tore in the wire cage, but I caught him again the next night. (Slow learner!) I always deal with my captives at first light, so as to minimize the damage they can do to the trap, or to themselves. The coon in this photo abraded his wrists trying to get out during the night. Usually they just sit quietly in the trap, but there is once and awhile a desperate character bent on escape.The red color on the trap is red paint from when I marked skunks to make sure I was relocating them far enough away. I have to remove these animals as they are a hazard to my cats. No food is left out at night but we still always seem to have a pest animal or two showing up. I don't like raccoons and skunks but at least am willing to relocate the varmints instead of shooting them! LOL

[Crystal6]

Very humane of you. Going out of your way to help an animal you don't like.

[Greatballzofire]

Very humane of you. Going out of your way to help an animal you don't like.

Thanks!
Even though these critters are a pain in the neck, they are just trying to make a living like all the rest of us. So I don't think trying to steal a little cat food warrants a death sentence. LOL!

[Crystal6]

Thanks!
Even though these critters are a pain in the neck, they are just trying to make a living like all the rest of us. So I don't think trying to steal a little cat food warrants a death sentence. LOL!

I wish more people saw it that way.