Freezing temps: if you park outdoors - maybe lift the car hood 1st (photos, warm)

[weblackey]

Originally Posted by Not_liking_FL

Possums are slow. I think the Op's BF would have been able to tell. They're also lighter in color than a raccoon.

Yes, they do tend to be lighter in color. I still think a squirrel would have been obvious. Hmmm...

[poppydog]

Well I don't know what it was, but I know what it wasn't and that's a beaver. Even if a beaver wanted to, which it wouldn't, I don't think a beaver would fit under a hood of a car. They're pretty large. Bigger than a cat — they can weigh 40-60lbs.

[pdocstr]

Originally Posted by poppydog

Well I don't know what it was, but I know what it wasn't and that's a beaver. Even if a beaver wanted to, which it wouldn't, I don't think a beaver would fit under a hood of a car. They're pretty large. Bigger than a cat — they can weigh 40-60lbs.

Wow, must be some serious vintage beavers there!

Even still I'd probably rather a 60lb Beaver than a 120lb Eddie Haskell staring at me from underneath my car.

[poppydog]

Maybe about the size of a 3 yr old Beav.

beaver in relation to people: Beaver Photo Gallery 1 by Suburban Wildlife Control

[toot68]

I've had monstrous problems with squirrel nests in my cars, although I've not actually surprised one in the car. They chewed up the wiring around the engine and gotten high drinking windshield wiper fluid. I've got to believe you've got squirrels.

My remedy has been to boil cinnamon, nutmeg and cayenne for an hour (recommend doing this when you've got serious congestion issues) and then applying to all the wiring in your engine block with a turkey baster a couple times during the winter months. And getting a cat.

[carcrazy67]

My guess is a possum-feeling trapped, a raccoon would have likely been aggressive in that situation.

[RoaminRebel]

Originally Posted by carcrazy67

My guess is a possum-feeling trapped, a raccoon would have likely been aggressive in that situation.

Many years ago I caught a marauding possum in a Havahart trap and that thing had a very disagreeable disposition. I covered it and dumped it far away with it spitting and hissing at me the entire time.

I have had trouble with rodents gnawing on wiring on stored vehicles, however.

[saintpetegirl]

Thanks for the comments!
I have an image.

Under the car carriage (lightened for detail)



______________

After looking at several animals: My guess was a groundhog - based on the overall shape/pointed head and fluffy tail.
What do you guys think?

[North Beach Person]

Yep, groundhog if it was the first picture.

[saintpetegirl]

Groundhog. I thought so too... First image is an actual shot just after leaving the engine, before running off into the woods.
Damage: a few wires chewed through - $120, and a pretty quick fix.

Poor groundhog. Just looking for a warm place to stay...