Skunks

Skunk in the grass.

Natural History

Species
There are four species of skunk in North America, with the striped skunk being the most common.
Size
Skunks are about the size of a house cat, measuring 20 to 30 inches long and weighing 6 to 10 lbs.
Physical Features
They have a small head, beady eyes, a pointed snout, and strong forefeet with long nails for digging.
Range
Skunks are found in central Canada, throughout the United States, and extending into the northern parts of Mexico.
Diet
Skunks are omnivorous. They feed on small rodents, lizards, frogs, birds, insects, eggs, acorns, and fallen fruit. Skunks help control the rodent population, and approximately 70% of their diet consists of insects harmful to humans, such as black widow spiders and scorpions.
Predators
Skunks face threats from humans (primarily through automobile accidents) and great-horned owls.

Source: Project Wildlife

Behavior

Activity
Skunks are generally nocturnal, beginning their foraging activities at sunset.
Self-Defense
Skunks are famous for their ability to spray a chemical compound that burns the eyes and nose and can cause nausea. This spray is a last resort. If threatened and unable to escape, they will first try to warn their attacker by fluffing their fur, shaking their tail, stamping the ground, and sometimes standing on their hind legs before spraying.
Habitat
In the wild, skunks den in shallow burrows or hollow logs near water sources. In urban environments, they may den beneath buildings, decks, dumps, and woodpiles.

Health Risks

Skunks can carry diseases like rabies, distemper, and parvovirus, similar to other mammals. Symptoms to watch for include paralysis, unsteadiness, discharge from the nose or eyes, or extreme lethargy. Contact your local wildlife rehabilitation center if you suspect an animal is in distress.

Vaccinations are available for rabies, distemper, and parvovirus. Ensure your pets are up-to-date on their vaccinations to keep them fully protected.

Damage Prevention & Other Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

My pet has been sprayed by a skunk, what do I do?
Occasionally a person or an animal surprises a skunk in a situation where he/she cannot retreat and the skunk will spray in self-defense. In this case, the quicker you take action, the more completely you can remove the odor. If the animal has been sprayed in the eyes, it’s important to flush them liberally with cold water ASAP. The spray is extremely irritating, but does not cause permanent damage. We recommend a de-skunking shampoo made up of:
  • 1 quart peroxide
  • 1/4 cup baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon liquid hand soap
Mix all ingredients together and shampoo the animal thoroughly keeping out of eyes, nose, and mouth. Soak five minutes and rinse well.
I have a skunk living under my porch/deck/house, how do I get him to leave?

First, make sure the animal has one easy-to-locate exit. Block all other exits. Obtain six to twelve 1-inch strips of fabric, tie them in tight knots, and soak them in household ammonia. Then, wearing rubber gloves, place these under the deck or in the attic where the animal has been seen, heard or smelled.

Next, buy cayenne pepper at 90,000 heat units which can be found at your local natural foods store. Sprinkle the pepper generously in areas that the animal has been seen coming and going, such as a hole leading under the deck or around trees that give the animal access to the attic. Animals cannot tolerate the presence of the pepper and they will vacate the area. Keep children and pets away from the pepper.

Lights and loud music during the day also disturbs animals who sleep during these hours. Once these techniques are used for several days, tape a piece of newspaper over the hole. If it is not disturbed for several more days, cover the hole securely. This will prevent animals from coming back in.

Often skunks are drawn to certain houses because they are either feeding their companion animals outside or they have easily accessible garbage. Either one of these things are open invitations for skunks and other animals to set up camp in or around your home. Pet food should never be left open outside and all garbage must be properly secured to prevent problems before they start.

I have a skunk who keeps digging in my garden, how do I keep him out?
Protecting a garden from skunks, raccoons, and opossums can be more difficult than protecting your home. In rural areas, low voltage electric fencing may help protect gardens and crops from damage. By installing fencing that is buried at least 1.5 feet into the ground, you can avoid skunks digging into your garden. Animal Care Services has found products like "Critter Ridder" to be non-toxic means of discouraging skunks, raccoons and feral cats.
If sod destruction is the problem, the only precaution you can take is to drive long wire pins or wooden stakes into the sod to hold it down until it takes roots. However, keep in mind that a serious June bug problem (which animals such as skunks, raccoons, and opossums eat) may ultimately do more damage than the animals.
I have a skunk in my trap and I would like him removed.
Call Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation to release the animal. Or if you would like to do it yourself, you should:
  1. Cover the trap with an old tarp or sheet while you transport the animal. This makes the ordeal less stressful for them.
  2. The best release sites are wooded areas with an abundant water source.
  3. Once there, prop the door of the trap open and the animal should leave on their own within a few minutes.

Reasons Not to Live Trap

Live trapping is an ineffective means of controlling wildlife in your yard. By trapping and removing and wild animal you are simply creating a vacancy for more animals to move in. It is more effective to ask yourself why the animals are finding your yard appealing (the answer will probably be either food, water, or shelter) and what you can do to remove what it is that the animal is finding appealing, repel the animal from your yard, and prevent them from returning. Exclusion methods and some degree of tolerance are ultimately more successful and lasting.

Live trapping should never be an option between early spring to early fall. This is the time when most species of native wildlife are having their young and there may be babies in, under, or around your house that are entirely dependent on their mother for food and protection. Any action that prevents the mother from caring for her young will result in suffering for her and a slow death for the babies. Since the family will not stay forever, or even for a very long time (a month or two, perhaps less), it is better to wait until the family vacates and then take action that will prevent the same thing from happening again.

  

 

Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation

Should you find a wild animal in crisis, or need emergency assistance with a wild animal, please contact Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation, Inc.

Phone

24-Hour Hotline: 830-336-2725

Address

11902 Rustic Lane
San Antonio, TX 78230
Directions

 

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