Is there an insect or rodent that would shred the husks and eat ears of corn to the cob, leaving the cob on the stalks?

I'm having a prob. with something and don't know what it might be.

If a rodent, I don't want to set any traps... because of my pooch. Her safety comes first.

My first thought was squirrels

Perhaps it would be Raccoons. They can raise havoc.

Would or could birds be a possibility?

Another one could be deer. Birds, especially crows, watch you plant the seeds and get it that way. But if the husks are shredded and it's eating the corn it is probably deer or raccoons.

Well, no more corn. It was devoured overnight. I didn't know that when I posted earlier, however; there are severe health advisories in my area (due to the 1800 fires still burning in my state and all the particle matter); we're supposed to stay indoors if smoke can be smelled.

I went out... and corn... gone.

I had the stalks cut and tossed.



I should also mention: There are no deer, raccoon or other "wildlife" in my immediate area. That's why I'm wondering if possibly birds could be the corn "bandits."

I'm hoping to find out what it might be because I'm not going to plant more for animal or insect food.

Like gretta said, could it be squirrels. They are all over

Has to be deer.
Here is a link with pictures:
http://www.ppdl.purdue.edu/PPDL/weeklypics/1-10-05.html
the bottom photo shows crow damage.
The crows seem "neater", but would not be doing this in the dark, like the deer do.

Little rodents like voles do come out at night too, but they
could not sweep thru like that. Squirrels are daytime animals.
Rabbits cannot reach high up.

Ground hogs may get the lower ones, and they do climb but are so heavy they would break or bend the stalks.

We had a deer surprise this spring. Since our front street was ripped out and dug for new water/sewer lines, there was sand
for several weeks before the paving was done. We found two
tracks of deer prints in the sand. Which explained the loss of my Mertensia. Being in a high density city, one would think deer would be unusual, BUT they are coming in commonly now.
We even have coyotes! This photo shows the sand where we found the prints: The front part of my rock garden is shown, as well as our cat, This dozer was parked for the night,
over a manhole which does not show...to protect cars from it since it was 12 inches higher than the road and thus a hazard.


P.S. I am here regarding your magnesium question at the other forum. If you are still undecided about it, now is the time to ask, as I will be leaving soon for about 8 wks for my summer vacation,( where I am unavailable on computers.)

Look around the corn row for foot prints, evidence of any kind of animals! That should give you a hint.

Deer would be my guess as well. If you are in an area where food is scarce, deer will migrate down at night and eat.