We have a visitor in our basement. At first glance, I thought squirrel. Now I am questioning that my first thought was not correct. We have red squirrels outside, not grey squirrels, but they don't look like what I saw last night.

Anyway, a week or so ago, Ken noticed a screen was torn on one of the windows in the basement. We saw remnants of hair on the screen. He closed the window. Now I'm thinking we may have trapped something in the basement!

OK, this is what I saw. It was about 8 inches long, it's fur was a dark dark brown with a hint of red mahogany hue to it. (almost like a deep chocolate brown) It's tail appeared as bushy as it's body. I really didn't see any variation in size from the width of it's body to the tip of the tail. It was about 2 to 2 1/2 inches wide. When it scurried across the floor it appeared to have really short legs or it was keeping itself low to the ground. It didn't go crazy running, hopping or jumping away from me. It just scurried along.

What the heck is this? We're going to set a live trap tonight. What should I use for bait?

Sounds like you have someone from this family: Mustelidae - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia getting comfy in your basement maybe?

It could be a mink.

When we lived in the country a neighbour was breeding them & one escaped. We saw it running across our front lawn. I still remember feeling really sad for it.
Are there any farms near you that could be doing this? If so they would come & get it ... if you don't want it loose in your area.

PS - if it doesn't have food & water it will start chewing things in your basement & then there's the smell - almost skunk like.... - i'd call the humane society with your description or a wild life place.

Possibly a weasel or mink from the pictures I looked at. I would say if it is, the one I have is a baby. (judging by size and fur) Thanks for the ideas!!

Anyone ever seen a baby mole? Their fur is different than an adult. They are really cute! Anyway whatever this is, I immediately thought baby fur, when I saw it.

minks are quite small. Your discrption made me think of it - as the one i saw was dark brown with lovely reddish highlights & it's tail was short & bushy. I can still remember its cute little face after all these years. It did kind of freak us out when we saw it - i first i assumed it was a rat [they get really big at the farm] until i saw the tail & the distinctive run.

I had a friend who had ferrets - it might be one as well. Maybe a pet.

Concidering we don't know exactly what we have in the basememnt and knowing most rodents are grain eaters, bait with some seed.
It might be a good idea to replace the screen with wire screen, sounds like you have cloth screen and or fiber.
If the seed fails to work try some good ole skippy peanut butter.
Good Luck

I was going to suggest its probably part of the ferret family. of sorts..or weasel family................

Karen - I once had a mole (the living kind ) and it was similar to what you described. Very tiny tale and chubby body. Very cute.

I have no idea what it is.
Just glad we don't have bacements down here in Florida.

So did we catch it yet?
I have no idea what it is...
I was just wondering if you got the cage...and if you caught it yet?
Mice are too big for me in my bacement... I couldn't imagine something that big without me knowing what it is...
How did you sleep last night? LOL