Snoring repels bears, but does it attract other critters?

[Shmogger]

I found this post in a very old thread about bears:

"I think people who snore have a rare advantage when sleeping in a tent at night!"

Would snoring attract other animals, like racoons or a very hungry fox?

(Will be bikepacking this spring.)

Thanks!

[John Nettles]

Chipmunks are especially attracted to people who snore.  The entire scurry (name for a group of chipmunks) will chew through the tent fabric in a chaotic frenzy and then starting eating on the person as the snoring is like a drug-induced call to a gorge to the seemingly benign cute little critters.  That is why the speak in such high octaves because they have lingering effects from the snoring. 

Sorry, couldn't resist.  I actually have no idea.  I would have thought snoring might attract any creature, especially larger ones.  I could maybe see how a chipmunk might be afraid, but a larger critter like a fox or bear, no.  Learn something new everyday. Like how raccoons really are attracted by snorers.

Tailwinds, John

[Shmogger]

LOL! Thanks John. What's interesting is searching for "snoring" on these boards shows there's been no topic about snoring while camping.  Maybe that means people generally don't need to worry about snoring in the woods.  I guess it makes sense; wild animals are attracted by smells, not noise.  Still, racoons are very bold.  But that is about garbage, not snoring.

[ray b]

I love the image of a scurry of chipmunks overrunning a camp... Thanks.

The bear stuff sounds like pure speculation to me.

If some grizzlies in Montana go to the sound of rifle or shotgun fire, because they associate it with a dead animal (food), I could see where snoring might do the same.

It only takes one or two occurrences to find out that snoring is often associated with alcohol and a messy camp full of scraps of food.

[Shmogger]

When I bikepacked across the country in 2002, I never encountered bears, so maybe my snoring kept them away.  OTOH, I don't think I was in bear country more than just a few nights.

Another thing I thought of - if a bear comes close (or for that matter, chasing dogs) what about an airhorn?

[Jocycleph]

I also read a similar old thread from another forum that says the same thing about snoring and bear, but the same didn’t mention the effect to other animals. But while bears may be deterred by most unusual sounds like snoring, they are attracted to just about any interesting smell, so it is best to take precautions like securing your food and keeping a clean campsite. Have a great bikepacking trip this spring, @Shmogger!

[BikeliciousBabe]

Are you seriously worried about being attacked by a fox desperate for a meal?  If so, I would stay home and lock your doors.

[John Nettles]

I am telling you it is those !@#$% raccoons that are the worst followed by chipmunks that eat through your tent and then pannier to get to the delicious peanut butter and tortillas you have stashed there.

[Shmogger]

Are you seriously worried about being attacked by a fox desperate for a meal?  If so, I would stay home and lock your doors.

Of course not.

[BikeliciousBabe]

I am telling you it is those !@#$% raccoons that are the worst followed by chipmunks that eat through your tent and then pannier to get to the delicious peanut butter and tortillas you have stashed there.

+1.  After my first tour, which was ACA'S unsupported Northern Tier, I started riding home solo.  On a day off near Hyde Park, NY, I camped at a state park that was infested with squirrels and other rodents collecting nuts for the upcoming winter.  I left some bread in my tent while i went to tour the Vanderbilt Mansion.  I returned to discover that something had chewed through my tent mesh and eaten some of the loaf.  I had only recently bought that tent from the L.L. Bean store in Freeport, ME after my the zipper of my original tent crapped out in Searsport and I awoke to a good number of mosquitoes inside.

There is a NJ state park I ride to a few times/year.  The raccoons there are notorious.  You cannot leave anything out if you expect to keep it.  There are also some feral cats that will try to get into your garbage.  When you take your garbage to the trahs/recycling area well away from the campsite, you can often hear, if not see, the raccoons helping themselves like its a buffet.