What is eating my watermelons???

Just in from the garden and found my 4th watermelon eaten in last week with a small hole about 1 1/2 inches in diameter circular (see picture) and the insides taken of course. Very upsetting. Been growing watermelons for years and never seen anything like this. Does anyone know what could be doing this...must have good teeth to gnaw through the rind ..squirrel? Any suggestions on protecting them? May put some in plastic bag overnight but that will be a pain. Very Puzzling..

Thanks for any ideas and feedback as to what is causing this...

I stick all my melons and squash into plastic bags for protection. It does seem to work.

do you take the plastic bags off during the day?

Looks like they were going for the seeds. Too small for squirrel, (and they usually gnaw & shred, making a real mess) probably chipmunk or mouse.

Time for a small Havaheart trap baited with peanut butter. Disposal after trapping is up to you! I hate chipmunks myself, so it's a dark moment in my backyard when I do trap them. But you can do a relocation program if you're inclined. Just make sure it's 5 miles or more when you release. And preferably a remote spot-try not to just make it someone else's problem!

And don't stop after catching just one- there are probably quite a few.

I leave the bags on, zipped around the stem. So far, this hasn't caused a problem.

Aww, man! What a bummer! I wonder if pantyhose would deter them at all? You could put the watermelon into the leg portion of the pantyhose and tie them at the top with a twistie or just knot them off.

One and one half inches is a pretty big hole for an insect wanting fruit. Most insects bore when the rinds are soft. Wonder why the culprit's not there in the morning? I'd suspect a mouse or other rodent. In that case bagging or pantyhose won't help. Good luck.

what about a vole? That hole looks vole-sized.