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Nocturnal Garden Raider: Mountain Beaver or Woodchuck?

Question: 4–5″ holes appearing; nightly leaf-eating (strawberries, rose, echinacea, kale, zucchini). Leaves dragged into holes. Sonic devices partial help. Location not given.

Answer: Need Location & Confirmation of Nocturnal Activity

Critical Questions

Location? (Pacific NW → mountain beaver)
Absolutely certain it's nocturnal? Woodchucks are diurnal!

Suspects by Region/Behavior

Pacific NW + nocturnal: Mountain beaver
Elsewhere + diurnal: Woodchuck (groundhog)
Other: rabbits, voles, gophers, raccoons, deer

Next Steps

Use self-guided ID tool
Email high-res photos with scale to svantassel2@unl.edu
Control info at ICWDM after ID

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