We have some birds but they wouldn't peel the lemon. I can't get the extension service to call me back so I may never know.

afaik, there's only one animal capable of actually peeling a lemon.

What would eat the rind? These are split? on the ground?

As I said in the original message, they are on the ground. No, they are not split. The lemon insides are there perfectly, just as if you or I peeled it, only the rind is eaten.

racoons maybe?

That is a possibility. We set a rat trap loaded with peanut butter. Peanut butter was gone the next day but the trap was still set.

smart little buggers

I think rats.

Or rabbits.

We have a lot of rabbits around here but I doubt that it is them. Never heard of rabbits eating lemons.