Cannibal Rat Caught
Jason Price set some rat traps in a garage in Sonora. On one trap, there was a dead rat, with only the head left in the trap. All that was left was the head, and even the back of skull had been eaten away. In another trap was a large, big-bellied rat, un-eaten. Apparently the first rat was eaten by the second, and nobody was around to eat the second rat. We presume he was the cannibal rat. 30 October 2017.
The first rat caught, was eaten away from the trap. The back of the skull has been eaten away.
You can see that the back of the skull, and brain, was eaten away.
This well fed rat was caught in the same garage. No sign of cannibalism on him. We can deduce that he was the cannibal that ate his buddy.
Crazy Photos: Chickaree Stores Hundreds of Douglas Fir Cones in a House
Jason Mink took these photos at a home in Dorrington, Calaveras County, California. A chickaree (aka Douglas Squirrel) was caching Douglas Fir cones in a home. HUNDREDS of them! October 2017.
The chickaree found easy access into this home due to holes drilled for electric lines.
These cones were placed there by the chickaree.
Busy chickaree caches hundreds of cones in this home in Dorrington.
Busy chickaree caches hundreds of cones in this home in Dorrington. He made it his home!
Jason Mink showing the office girls the amazing chickaree photos.
Artistic Use of Bird Spikes to Repel Bats
Jason Mink had to stop bats from entering around a light fixture at a home in Saddle Creek, Angels Camp, California. Note how he managed to place the spikes around the light fixture, and make it look good. October 2017.
The light fixture is above the hanging light, within the entry area.
Bird spikes placed around this entry light fixture actually looks really good. Work by Jason Mink.
Sawdust Accumulation by Pine Tree Ants
Pine tree ants, liometopum luctuosum, are a native ant that loves to nest in large pine trees that have some decay in them. Houses prove to be a suitable, or additional, place to nest. These ants excavate into lumber to create room for the nest, and they will carry the sawdust and throw it out. The sawdust can accumulate in large piles, under nesting sites. These photos of the sawdust were taken by Jose Rodriquez, at a residence in Forest Meadows, Calaveras County, California, October 2017.
unknown wood destroyer
Found during an inspection in Sonora area, Tuolumne County, California. Photos by Josh Esposito. August 1, 2017.
Maranatha Pine Tree Ant job
A house in the Tuolumne City area had a long-term infestation of pine tree ants, Liometopum luctuosum. Native to the area, these ants like to nest in pine trees. In this case, some wall studs worked just fine. Photos by Jon Shattuck. Video by the home owner.
The images show the wall studs after our repair crew opened the wall.
Banded Garden Spider, Argiope trifasciata
Paul Cooper took these great photos of a banded garden spider, Argiope trifasciata. Murphys California, 16 October 2017.
frass
Unidentified frass. Sonora California. 12 October 2017. Collected from basement, by Josh Esposito.
holes are about 1/8 inch diameter
Frass visible inside exposed lumber
Frass visible inside exposed lumber
Exit holes
Millimeter scale. frass about 0.75 mm in length.
