It looks like the vine had partly died. i had a large crenshaw melon that the vine died and something pecked a hole in it and soon something ate most of it. Perhaps the odor of spoiling attracted some animal.

Concur. If there was an opening in the melon (crack or hole) There are a lot critters that will attack. In my area, I would suspect the following in order. Raccoon, opossum, coyote

crows are really good at punching holes in watermelon.

That makes a lot of sense. This melon stopped growing a couple weeks ago while everything else was taking off.

Thank-you!

That makes a lot of sense. This melon stopped growing a couple weeks ago while everything else was taking off.

Thank-you!