What’s in that hole? – Episode 3

Hello everybody and welcome to Episode 3 of What’s in that Hole?, a new series I’m writing for my blog.

In the last episode, we were hoping for a cuddly critter but didn’t find one. We did find lots of babies though! But maybe this is our lucky day and we’ll find a cuddly friend! You’ll only know if you keep reading…

The holes

Now, you may be saying to yourself, “That’s not a hole! That’s a pile of wood.” Ah, but look closer my friend – there are several holes in the pile of wood!

The pile of wood also has some trimmings, including dried prickly pear cactus paddles around the bottom and twigs on top. What, pray tell, has taken my wood pile and dressed it up so nicely? Let’s find out.

The occupant

Although I have dreams of getting a motion-activated camera, I’m currently without a full-time job so that will have to wait. In the meantime, I’m going to use the brute force method to figure out what’s in all the holes. Plus, I knew what this critter was as soon as I saw the nest, so I also knew I would need to dismantle the nest anyway.

Oooh! I think I just gave you a hint.

As I approached the nest I heard something within. Our creature was inside! But the noise quickly stopped. Our friend must have a hiding place!

The next few photos show the nests’ multiple layers as I took it apart. I avoided the dried cactus paddles as these are still spiky. Our occupant has clearly placed these there for protection. My only way in was through the top.

There were lots of mesquite seed pods (I wondered why my yard seemed so clean this summer) and a lot of twigs/fibrous stuff that I assume is bedding and insulation.

Throughout the nest’s undoing, I was slightly on edge knowing what critter lay within. But I couldn’t seem to find it! I was nearly to the end and starting to think maybe I imagined hearing it when, all of a sudden and quite unexpectedly (given I was expecting it), a packrat shot out!

Now, packrats are nocturnal and don’t like being out in the open and exposed during the day. Even though I had my camera out, the thing ran off and around the house so quickly I missed my photo op. Sorry friends. I know, I’ve let you down.

However, here is where it was hiding:

And here is a quick rendering I’ve put together for you:

Yes, I’m aware my drawing skills leave much to be desired. It’s okay. I like to think my creativity exhibits itself in other ways.

Anyway, here is what packrats in the Sonoran Desert look like (by the way they are apparently also known as woodrats). And here. And here. Pretty cute and cuddly, I must say. We have found our elusive cuddly hole-dweller.

Epilogue

What!? There’s more??? I know, I know – you thought we were finished. And so did I, until a couple days after the unnesting.

I had just gotten a new bike and hence hadn’t driven my car for a few days, leaving it parked in my carport. When I did go to drive it (I can’t bring my Costco shopping back on a bike people), I noticed this on the ground near the hood of the car:

Uh oh. It looks like our friend the packrat found itself a new home and is using my driveway as a toilet. Here’s the new home, complete with prickly pear pads for protection:

Yes, our packrat friend has apparently sought retribution for my unnesting by creating its new nest in my car. This may turn into quite the saga.

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