Right. It's actually fairly easy to diagnose what's eating your roses. Rodents chew at a 45 degree angle, making their gnawing appear as if you've deliberately pruned the cane. Those include rabbits, squirrels, rats and mice. Deer, horses, cows and other larger animals which eat plants rip the growth off instead of precisely "cutting" it with their teeth because of the way the teeth meet. So, if the damage is a precise, 45 degree angle cut, you have some sort of rodent. If it's higher up in the plant where you'd think a rabbit couldn't reach, suspect squirrels, rats or mice. If it's ripped off and there is potential for deer, that's likely the culprit. Don't expect the prickles to prevent horses, cows, deer, etc., from eating roses. For the most part, they don't care. Prickles are probably less of a "defense" mechanism, than one which assists them in "climbing" into trees to get to the light. Gophers actually eat the roots of the plant. Ground squirrels can, also. Moles and voles mostly damage the plants by loosening the soil around their roots, interrupting their ability to anchor themselves and take up water. Kim

She's right when she says, "don't touch it'! I can't recall the exact name right now, but it's closely related to the hag moth caterpillars. Seems like one quite like this was posted some time ago. Somebody will jump in here with the correct name.

I would agree - most likely a Muskrat (Ondatra zibethecius)....however if you're farther south (Louisiana, Texas..they're even in Arkansas and some states on the east coast) it could be a Nutria (much larger definitely more beaver-like) ~Mike

If it were spring, I'd suggest a grouse. During mating and nesting season, the male grouse, during a display, opens and then snaps his wings against his body. The time spacings between beats shortens with each "flap" and lessens in intensity. The first beat is felt more than it is heard. If you had been sleeping, you first sensation is a pressure wave on your chest. Its a wierd feeling. But, at this time of year, maybe it is an owl.