Outdoor Animal Control - What's living in my attic?

We have something living in our attic and everytime I hear it move and go take at look, it disappears. I can't see any large holes so I think it might be small. Also, there are a ton of broken/eaten snail shells on the ground and small droppings everywhere. The dropping look larger than a mouse's. Also, they seem to move in the early morning around 5-7am. I was thinking it's a nest of raccoons as we have had a problem with them in our yard, but I have no idea how a larger mom coon could get in. I also thought it might be squirrels, but I don't think they eat snails. Therefore, the only other things I can think of is rats, but agains I dont think they eat snails.

Any ideas?

rats will eat just about anything, so I wouldn't cross them off the list. When racoons take over an attic, at least the ones I have seen, you will definately know it. They do a number on the insulation. I would suggest a medium size live trap and see if you can catch one. Once you know what it is, then the trap or poison, which ever is appropriate. If the trap doesn't work, borrow or purchase a camera system as used by hunters. You could possibly use a camera hooked up to your pc.

Happy Hunting
Bud

I'm gonna say you have a rat. Everytime we find a clump of snail shells, we manage to catch a rat, via trap, within 48 hours.