I live not far north of Boston, up against some conservation land. Last night I heard something that, from its movements, sounded about the size of a raccoon but didn't move like a raccoon. It was skittering rapidly through the underbush in a prolonged way. I listened to this cautiously for a couple of seconds. Then it stopped and made a loud, deep grunt like a demented hog. I took one step back and slammed the back door and locked the windows. What was this? I should add that all my life I've spent a lot of time outdoors, day and night, all across the northern US and southern Canada, and I've never heard anything like it except for an actual pig on a farm. Also, I've lived in this house for 8 years and never heard it here before. I'll feel much happier when I can identify it. Thanks for your help!
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1Welcome to the site Della! Sorry I don't have time to write a full answer, but I'm willing to bet it's a Groundhog. I live not far from you and have some in our yard. The behavior's similar, and the fact that they're nicknamed "Whisting Pig" is another giveaway. They're not aggressive, so you should be fine!– Sue Saddest Farewell TGO GLCommented Sep 19, 2015 at 18:40
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Hi, thanks for that - there have been groundhogs around for ages but they are not nearly bass enough, nor have I ever noted any of them doing a sustained and brazen skitter through the underbrush (they're too shy; too many things want to eat them). I thought about it and did some digging for animal sounds, and I'm chalking this one up to a very large badger. I'll be stepping inside whenever I hear this one.– DellaCommented Sep 20, 2015 at 14:21
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My mistake about the groundhog-sorry about that!! I'm glad you identified your backyard visitor. If you'd like to write an answer based on what you learned, I think it would be helpful to others, including me! I might have badgers too and either haven't noticed, or haven't known how to make the distinction! :)– Sue Saddest Farewell TGO GLCommented Sep 20, 2015 at 19:44
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4@Della it'd be really good to add it as a self-answered question :)– AravonaCommented Oct 21, 2015 at 9:28
2 Answers
Possible culprits:
Opossums:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D-iFOsRhJ4
Raccoons:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAG0V1AauJs
Badgers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwrG_HdH2oY
Foxes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPLJ0Gbu5D8
Porcupines:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_yoCesDLhg
Skunks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfrXnBMnNvg
There are other, less likely possibilities - deer grunt, but they are obviously much larger than what you are describing. Martens and Fishers also make odd noises, and both are known to live in Massachusetts, but they are less common and they tend to scream/shriek rather than grunt.
It's hard to give a definitive answer, but based on your description one possibility could be a badger.
They make some really astonishing noises ranging from grunts to screams to barks. Maybe head over to Youtube and listen to some badger videos and see if that sounds similar?
