Do SKUNKS make noise like a chatter

[southpennrailroad]

It's 04:00 and I just woke up to a furry tail crossing over my face. First thing I thought was a skunk. I hope I was just dreaming. I looked around but saw non. And yes I half expected to smell something but no trace. I didn't look under the storage area yet. I will have to open the doors slowly and just enough to let it escape if it is in here. The screen door is easy enough for it to get in. Now I will work on that tomorrow.

2nd thing I need to do is re wire the porch light to connect with the trailer battery so when un hitched it will work.

[steve smoot]

Sounds interesting. I would have crapped on myself had it happened to me

[southpennrailroad]

Sounds interesting. I would have crapped on myself had it happened to me

I have some small clips on the door to keep it from swinging in but I think they aren't working. I need some adjustments made to keep the screen door closed. I'm pretty sure it got back out. I thought I better make some noise to scare it out without spraying the trailer. I know last week they were around because of the smell in the area. just never thought they would be so bold as to force their way into the trailer.

[48Rob]

Racoons chatter, and thery are very bold, and they have furry tails.
They can easily open a screen door.
Any tracks outside in the dirt?

While it may have been a racoon, another likely candidade would be a mouse or rat, or maybe a neighborhood cat (going after the above).
Years ago, while staying in an old motel, I woke in the early morning hours to a big rat munching on my bag of cookies I'd left on the night stand, just inches from my face...not nice.

Rob

[Anita Rae]

I think if it was a skunk you would smell it. Even if it hadn't sprayed.

Other things that are noctournal...Maybe a racoon? But I think you could easily find something as large as a racoon or a skunk.

Ok this is an off the wall guess but could it have been a flying squirrel; also known as a fairy diddle? They are small, kind of like a mouse with a flat feather like tail, and they are noctournal. They make several kinds of noises. Even the wild ones are known to be very social around humans.

If you have never seen one, look at my avatar. That is Bullet; My Southern Flying Squirrel.

[southpennrailroad]

Racoons chatter, and thery are very bold, and they have furry tails.
They can easily open a screen door.
Any tracks outside in the dirt?

While it may have been a racoon, another likely candidade would be a mouse or rat, or maybe a neighborhood cat (going after the above).
Years ago, while staying in an old motel, I woke in the early morning hours to a big rat munching on my bag of cookies I'd left on the night stand, just inches from my face...not nice.

Rob

I didn't think of a Raccoon and of course it was dark and no smell. However no cats that I know of in the area and no food was gotten into and it only seems that what ever it was was looking for a warm sleep spot. Food is easily gotten into if they wanted it. I even have the cookies out on the counter. I would have heard the noise from them getting to that. I keep the door open with the screen door closed with a towel over it to keep the wind from coming in. Home built screen. Door left open for easy wireless card access to the strong signal.

[starleen2]

Racoons chatter, and thery are very bold, and they have furry tails.
They can easily open a screen door.
Any tracks outside in the dirt?

While it may have been a racoon, another likely candidade would be a mouse or rat, or maybe a neighborhood cat (going after the above).
Years ago, while staying in an old motel, I woke in the early morning hours to a big rat munching on my bag of cookies I'd left on the night stand, just inches from my face...not nice.

Rob

I didn't think of a Raccoon and of course it was dark and no smell. However no cats that I know of in the area and no food was gotten into and it only seems that what ever it was was looking for a warm sleep spot. Food is easily gotten into if they wanted it. I even have the cookies out on the counter. I would have heard the noise from them getting to that. I keep the door open with the screen door closed with a towel over it to keep the wind from coming in. Home built screen. Door left open for easy wireless card access to the strong signal.

Darn Racoons - stealing cookies and internet!

[48Rob]

I didn't think of a Raccoon and of course it was dark and no smell. However no cats that I know of in the area and no food was gotten into and it only seems that what ever it was was looking for a warm sleep spot. Food is easily gotten into if they wanted it. I even have the cookies out on the counter. I would have heard the noise from them getting to that. I keep the door open with the screen door closed with a towel over it to keep the wind from coming in. Home built screen. Door left open for easy wireless card access to the strong signal.

The furry tail bit is the unknown...
If you just think it was furry, but you were still half asleep and just thought it was fur... maybe a bat lightly brushing your face, or just the air current from one passing very close?

Rob

[bobhenry]

raccoons are bold little bandits......

and most don't seem to be afraid of you if you are laying down. Upright they sense you as a threat lying down your are just a warm spot. More than one tent camper has awakened with a tent mate they had not invited. I am surprised about the cookies though.

Here is an audio clip of raccoon chatter ....

http://www.entertonement.com/collections/xmwfwmkzht--Raccoon

[bobhenry]

I have used moth balls before for critters around home......

Here what others had to say .....

Do Moth Balls Keep Raccoons Out of Trash Cans?
By Stephen A. Powell, eHow Contributor
updated: December 2, 2009

I want to do this! What's This?
Raccoons are highly intelligent and adaptive mammals. Due to human encroachment on natural raccoon habitats, the animals have become very comfortable living in urban and suburban environments. Humans in these environments provide raccoons with shelter and food sources, primarily from poorly secured trash cans. Raccoons, however, are sensitive to abrasive odors. Fortunately, balls of naphtha--also known as mothballs--produce one such odor raccoons prefer to avoid.
Mothballs Outside Your Trashcans
Scatter mothballs around on the ground near your trash cans, if you do not mind their presence in plain sight. This is more effective than placing them inside the trash cans, as it also acts as a preventative measure against raccoons getting inside. You may also sprinkle large bags of naphtha flakes around the trash cans to repel raccoons. This option may be less unsightly. Using mothballs outside of the trash cans is only recommended provided you are not bothered by the scent yourself. Keep the treated trash cans away from the general entrances of your home to minimize exposure to the scent if it bothers you.
Mothballs Inside Your Trashcans
Place an opened bag of mothballs at the bottom of your trash cans if you do not want the loose materials around your home. Feel free to scatter the mothballs throughout the bottom of the trash cans if you do not mind cleaning it up later. Large trash cans may require several bags of mothballs, as you will need enough mothballs to create an odor stronger than that of the trash to effectively deter raccoons. Otherwise, raccoons may not smell the mothballs until they are close enough to consider tipping over your trash cans, which is a popular raccoon tactic.
Tips and Warnings
Latch your trash cans closed. While raccoons are crafty animals, they will not be able to rummage through your trash if the lid is secure.

Do not confront or attempt to trap raccoons. Make loud noises from a safe distance by banging pots and pans. Raccoons are generally non-confrontational, but may attack if cornered or threatened.

Do not feed raccoons. Feeding raccoons makes them bold around humans, which encourages them to invade your space. This may exacerbate trash can attacks.


Read more: Do Moth Balls Keep Raccoons Out of Trash Cans? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/way_5708982_do-racc ... z12WkZtzyV

[planovet]

[Tadlan]

Racoons are likely, but don't discount skunks. When I was five I pet one at my family reunion and told everyone that a "black and white kitty" lived under the cabin. It did not spray me and it did not smell. I have had them crawl over me a dozen times since without any odor. They are pretty clever and bold too.

A few years ago I woke up with one curled on my chest like it was the family cat. I laid there quietly while it made angry faces at my brother who was snoring and then eventually went away.

[CAJUN LADY]

Anita, my son has a Sugar Glider. 'Rocky' is a beautiful little squirrel and very fast! Dusty has had him/her for a year, rescued when it fell from the nest - eyes not opened yet. They took the wheel out of it's cage because he would keep them up at night playing.

Penn, it could have been a squirrel who was up late. Or, a raccoon like everyone else said. Skunks don't chatter.

[southpennrailroad]

Anita, my son has a Sugar Glider. 'Rocky' is a beautiful little squirrel and very fast! Dusty has had him/her for a year, rescued when it fell from the nest - eyes not opened yet. They took the wheel out of it's cage because he would keep them up at night playing.

Penn, it could have been a squirrel who was up late. Or, a raccoon like everyone else said. Skunks don't chatter.

All I know is that it was a rough tail that went over my face at 4 am. I was glad it wasn't a skunk and I just remembered that I was drilling a hole for the FW tank and didn't seal it up so maybe that is where it came in at and left. I am going to right now and check under the bed. My own boogie man I suppose. And yes it could have been a squirrel as I once in my life felt all those animals tails. Yes I knew a friend who had a pet skunk and petted it. All I know is I don't like that feeling @4am.

Thanks all!!

[Tadlan]

Skunks make a high chirping chatter. Sorry Cajun Lady, I've had plenty of experience.