Some animal eating my tomato plants?

Question

the tomatoes plants are now producing tomatoes but recently I've noticed that some of the growing tomatoes are half eaten on the stalk and there is black p**p on them as well. Does anyone know what kind of animal is it?

Answer 1

Is it the plant being eaten? Then it is tomato worms.

Is it the tomatoes being eaten? Then rats may be at work. (not sure what other creatures like tomatoes.

Okay, I had a yellow lab that would steal them off the vine and eat them!

Answer 2

If the damage is to the leaves, and small stems It could be anything from a tomato horn worm to a deer, but a horn worm is one of the few critters that will eat a green tomato.  If it is ripe tomatoes being eaten and left on the stem it likely is squirrels or birds.  

Answer 3

Tomato worms they will be the same color as the plant so look close.There are usually only one or two per plant. Late afternoon is a great time to look for them as they are just coming out to feed for the night.  

Answer 4

Bet some of the leaves are also missing.  You just described (big p**p) the tomato horn worm. http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/dp_hfrr/extensn...

Now the best approach is to find him and squish or other wise dispose.  It takes practice to locate them since their camo is perfect.

There is also a tomato fruit worm.   http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r78330011...

I don't think this is what you have because they chew into the fruit around the stem and the p**p isn't as evident.