What kind of animal

I thought maybe you guys could figure this out. I have tons of bunnies in my yard, and am used to them munching things to the ground. Recently, things started to get munched higher up during the night. Specifically, bushes and flowers are cleanly cut off at about 10 inches tall. Really, it looks like I took some shears and trimmed everything neatly to 10", but left the excess dead on the ground. They have eaten a few bushes that were 3-4' tall, some tall aster, yarrow, coneflowers, possibly other things.

My dogs got sprayed by a skunk this week, so I know they are in the yard. Do they do that? There are squirrels around... Other likely animals?

I have squirrels that do that. They don't do it at night, but they do the damage like you describe. One was right out front, in the morning, chewing away on one of my viburnums and my husband yelling at it did nothing. S/he just stood there, looking at him as if to say, what's the problem buddy?? They've gotten more viburnums, my 'Grace' smokebush and 3 different perennials just planted this spring. I've got a few things caged so they can't get to them. It's frustrating. I like squirrels, I enjoy watching their antics, but please don't eat the flowers!

Good to know! Maybe its not overnight then. It could happen in the morning, I'm not a very early riser. The squirrel usually are in my neighbors' yards during the day, since my dogs will chase em.

You'd be surprised what a bunny can reach standing just on its hind feet. No deer around?

No deer. I was wondering if a bunny could do it... but then why would it take 3 ft tall plants and munch them down to 10 inches, and no further? Other types of plants get munched to the ground, so I think those are from bunnies, and "taller damage" is something else. I'm not sure what other animals might be around... possums, racoons, I hope not...

My guess would've been deer as well. When they ate my tomatoes, they ate some to the ground, but they ate others to about 6-10", and tougher plants they might not want to work so hard at the lower stuff by bending their heads all the way down, easier to just eat the higher stuff.

I would almost bet money that it is deer eating your plants to 10" from the ground. The next time it happens, look on the ground-where there is dirt and look for their hoof prints, I think you will find some in the area within 10' of the eaten plants.

TIGE,
Our grandma had hoof prints on her BACK!! She got run over by a deer. lol

Best;
bluelytes

Blue...are you screwing with my head???? I haven't had enough coffee yet this am to properly evaluate your post!!! lol

TIGE,
Actually, I am using the lyrics to "gramma got run over by a reindeer", lol.

Best;
blue

.. Teresa_IL ..

Jes a friendly reminder: baby bunnies 'grow' ...

We'd noticed a baby bunny a few weeks ago that frequented the flower bed located in the immediate front yard. S/he's been nibbling the tender parts of just certain flowers and stems once in a while .. to a mere wee stub.

He's grown quite a bit, since .. and now munches only on what is out directly in front of his face (mouth)! He's too leary to drop his body/head down any lower, to feed and nibble. (wants to be able to observe everything that's about and around him)! However, he will stand on his hind feetzers to reach a nibble on some tender rose stem/tips going/growing up the rose arbor. Night or day .. but here lately, he doesn't seem to brave the late evening and night time visits as much .. for with his larger body proflie - he stands out like a sore thumb for the owls. (hee)

He's just the one, so far .. and since we turn the dawg loose ever so often, jes to serve to remind the bunny that he doesn't have full-reign domain .. yet! Bunny picks up the scent of dawg, and usually stays out of the flower bed yardens, for a good spell thereafter .. until a rain. Then, we start over with the process .. (hee)

- Magpye