It could be anything. Armadillos to Zebras (not really :), but I know that Armadillos can tear up a lawn and flowerbed. They don't want the plants, they want the bugs under the plants. Cats are also a possibility, though they are looking to use the site as a litter box. Personally, I would bet on the armadillo. To stop them, there is a spray that I use, which is basically a type of 'scare factor'. The scent is unpleasant to animals, invoking a fear response, which gets them to leave the area and look for a more welcoming garden. It will work for deer, voles, moles...just about anything. And it is humane. I've used Plantskydd for rats (I live out in the country) that were digging up my strawberries. It worked! I wish you well! I know how frustrating that can be. Here is a link that might be useful: Plantskydd

Hi, Bluegrassmom. Fortunately, there are not many deers running around my development. If there are, I am sure they would go for my rose bushes first. It looks like the culprit is the squirrel. They run rampant around here. With two neighbors growing 4 oak trees, it is inevitable. It started innocently enough, this peony love. I bought a few peonies to try several years ago. Then I added a few more. Then there were the sales that I couldn't pass up so I added a few more. Then I saw photos of oh so beautiful peonies posted on GW, and I gotta to grow these peonies too. Before I know it, I have added over 100 peonies to the home garden. It is crazy. But every spring that I see their blooms, it seems to be all worth it. I have gotten some new itoh peonies this fall that I am very excited about and can't wait to see their first bloom.

thanks guys! i was also thinking it was some kind of badger but now that i think of it wolverine looks more like it. except it isn't brown and they are.

..."Since the rains started here I have lost several cactus"... Isn't initial problem too much rain that possibly caused rotting that attracted bugs of any kind? Just like a flies/grubs feeding on decaying flesh (or even fresh, uncallused wound)...they didn't cause death of it, but certainly take advantage of feeding and laying eggs on their favorite...Too much rain could be the reason, and larvae or any bugs (likely laying more eggs!) a consequence of it. I would assure all succulents are in very fast draining mix, in containers with excellent drainage (holes) and if rains are persistent, perhaps use some extra rain protection. Even just an outdoors umbrella helps, or if many plants, plastic sheet or similar temporary protection.