i find it odd.. that an animal.. would go to all the trouble to stick the thing in their mouth ... but spit it out before they bit down ...

are you sure no one is messing with you ... lol ...

ken

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Teeth+marks+on++tomato&t=ffcm&iar=images&iax=images&ia=images

no real answer in this one

https://www.deviantart.com/dtf-stock/art/Tomato-with-Possum-Bite-484004083

LOL is right, ken -- thanks. :) It's really bizarre, isn't it?! The tomato plant is growing up into and around this tuteur in my enclosed backyard, and is sharing space on the tower with a passiflora caerulea. It's flanked by porterweed, Gomphocarpus/milkweed and a host of nectar plants in my butterfly garden.

Both tomatoes were found just on the inside of the tuteur, so it's not as if the animal travelled at all before deciding, 'no thanks'. Honestly, the only possible critter that frequents this area would be an anole lizard, but it would have to be a really huge one! They're always on the prowl for Gulf fritillary and Monarch caterpillars -- I wouldn't think that tomatoes are their thing, unless they mistook a tomato for a fat, plump Gulf frit caterpillar!

Just DH and I here....and teeth marks don't match his! :D

And you don’t think it could be a raccoon taste testing?

The teeth marks left in the tomatoes (at least the first one pictured) doesn't seem to match a raccoon's bite/teeth pattern:

What a beautiful bite though, right? Find a critter that had braces when it was younger.

Will add that to my criteria and revise my search, Fori. ;)

Hmmm...baby possum is a definite maybe!

Notice in the second pic, the two teeth marks on either side of the arc are larger? I think it's a fit:

I think you are right. But in my defense I must say the raccoons around my house don’t bare their at me, they’re too friendly. I had a young juvenile last night who was not afraid to enter the porch with me sitting right there! He also didn’t care how many times I hosed him, he wouldn’t leave!

I appreciate your trying to help, djacobz. I've seen one raccoon in the 28 years we've lived here, and a couple of possums -- all either coming or going along the top of the fence. No teeth bared here either, so thank goodness for the internet. :)

Possum ID confirmed! DH and I set up one of our security cameras aimed at the backyard; and at ~ 4:00 a.m., there he was, cruising through. :) . Thanks to everyone for taking the time to reply.

Thanks for letting us know "who done it!"

We all need some levity, ken -- no problem! We've actually had a bit of a fun time on this end, all this sleuthing! We're thinking it might be one or two babies (maybe?) who are still trying to figure out life. It's probably two separate babies/juveniles giving the tomatoes a taste test. ("Look, a grub..mmmmm...oh, wait.") . If it's the same one making two attempts, however, sad to say it isn't long for this world, given its poor survival techniques. ;)