Skunks

Important Considerations:

• Skunks get their name from the pungent liquid that they spray when feeling threatened
• They are of medical concern because they can carry rabies and diseases that can affect humans
• Skunks primarily feed on insects and rodents, however they have been known to damage lawns from their grubbing behavior
• There are currently 5 species of skunks known of in America: American/Rooter Skunk, Hooded Skunk, Striped/Common Skunk, Eastern Spotted Skunk, and Western Spotted Skunk
• Female skunks only have 1 litter each year around mid-February to mid-April, and usually produce 4-5 young per litter

Where to Find Them on Your Property?

You will find skunks within 2 miles of a food or water source, as they rarely travel more than 2 miles in a day. Skunks are also nocturnal, and they can be found living in tree hollows, hollow logs, brush piles, rock piles, building crawl spaces and more. In the spring, females will dig birthing cavities beneath porches, decks, and structures. Skunks do not hibernate and may be active on warm days.