Animal Hissing in the Chimney?

Question

I live in Grapevine Texas, and every since I moved into this old house, there had been small animals making sounds inside of my Chimney.

The Animal's activity insides the Chimney most prodominately in the Morning and the afternoon, but their schedule is constantly on the change. There are several Animals too judging from the sounds they make, most likely a group or a family with a mother and it's youngsters.

I've first noticed the noises during the summer, and now it's getting progressingly louder and louder, with more hissing and yippings, and Chirping in between. The sound it makes sounds like a small bird, or a small rodent. The thing which scares me the most is when I approaches the Chimney with a hand light (The Chimney is very dark and gloomy, rarely used), it hisses like a snake, louder and louder...then suddently it stops.

So my question is, what kind of animal (If by any possibility) lives inside a house's Chimney, adapted into the harsh climate of Texas, and hisses?

Answer 1

I live in Texas too around the Woodville area. I've got a fire place and the only thing I've ever seen in it is a bird called a Chimney Sweep (that's what we call them) Never had a rodent in there. I would say maybe a squirrel's nest but they don't hiss. You need to call someone who's not afraid and get them to climb up and have a look.

Answer 2

Could be raccoons or some type of rodent, either rats or squirrels. If they're noisy during the day, it's not flying squirrels.

Racoons are one of the most adaptable omnivores in the USA.

Answer 3

Probably a possum.  Maybe a raccoon but I'm betting a possum.  Watch out they can bite.

Answer 4

It sounds like chimney sweeps. we had them too. we live north of houston. they would make these weird hissing type sounds, and like yours, would get louder when you got near, and then get quiet, like they were listening. if you go outside at dusk, you will see them flying out of the chimney to hunt for mosquitoes. if it is sweeps, make sure your damper is closed. they will get in your house and fly around. I love the fact that they eat the bugs though!

It's possible it's a raccoon, but more likely the birds. Check this evening and see if you can see them.