ALBERTA INSTITUTE FOR WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
Skunk Information
Fabulous skunks!
The skunk is not a member of the weasel family, though it used to be . Their long claws are perfect for digging so you may find them making dens under your front patio or garden shed.
Most people who have skunks in their yard have no problem with them. Many families have told us how they've discovered their cat sharing a food bowl with a skunk on the front step! The truth is, skunks are nocturnal and go about their business when we're in bed.
Problems may arise if the family dog becomes aggressive and, occasionally, a human will inadvertently startle one. If a skunk is threatened, it will exhibit a series of threat displays or warnings, giving the aggressor time to back off. But if they feel their lives are in danger, their powerful odor can stink up the neighbourhood for days.
Skunk Tracks
Entry to skunk den, created under a front sidewalk.
General Biology, Reproduction, and Behaviour:
Adult skunks begin breeding in late February. Yearling females (born in the preceding year) mate in late March. Gestation usually lasts 7 to 10 weeks. Older females bear young during the first part of May, while yearling females bear young in early June. There is usually only 1 litter annually. Litters commonly consist of 4 to 6 young, but may have from 2 to 16. Younger or smaller females have smaller litters than older or larger females. The young stay with the female until fall. Both sexes mature by the following spring. The age potential for a skunk is about 10 years, but few live beyond 3 years in the wild.
The normal home range of the skunk is 2 to 5 km (l/2 to 2 miles) in diameter. During the breeding season, a male may travel 6.4 to 8 km (4 to 5 miles) each night. In urban centers, their home range is much smaller as resources are more plentiful.
Skunks are dormant for about a month during the coldest part of winter. They may den together in winter for warmth, but generally are not sociable. They are nocturnal in habit, rather slow-moving and deliberate, and have great confidence in defending themselves against other animals.
Diet:
Skunks are omnivores, which means they eat a variety of foods including fruit, vegetables, small rodents and plenty of insects. In late summer and early fall, they go into 'eating-mode', trying to gain as much body fat as possible to help them get through the harsh winter. When snow cover and cold temperatures make food scarce, they go through periods of dormancy and rely on stores of body fat to get them through until Spring. It's not unusual to find them raiding a compost bin or checking out poorly-stored garbage if they are hungry enough. For most property owners, skunks are quite beneficial; they will help keep insect pests out of the garden and control mice in your yard.
Potential Damage:
Skunks may become a nuisance when their burrowing habits conflict with humans or when they are frightened and spray the family pet.
They are nocturnal and like dark places so they often burrow under porches or buildings by entering foundation openings.
They may also dig holes in lawns, golf courses, and gardens to search for insect grubs found in the soil. Digging normally appears as small, 7 - 10cm (3 - 4 inches) cone-shaped holes or patches of upturned earth. (Several other animals, including domestic dogs, also dig in lawns.)
Skunks occasionally kill poultry and eat eggs. They are not good climbers so fenced-in chickens are safe as long as the skunks can't dig under. If skunks gain access, they will normally feed on the eggs first, though they may kill one or two fowl. Eggs usually are opened on one end with the edges crushed inward. Weasels, mink, dogs and raccoons usually kill several chickens or ducks at a time. Dogs will often severely mutilate poultry. Tracks may be used to identify the animal causing damage.
Both the hind and forefeet of skunks have five toes. In some cases, the fifth toe may not be obvious. Claw marks are usually visible, but the heels of the forefeet normally are not. The hind feet tracks are approximately 6.3 cm (2 1/2 inches long).
Skunk droppings can often be identified by the undigested insect parts they contain. Droppings are 6 to 13 mm (1/4 to 1/2 inch) in diameter and 2.5 to 5 cm (1 to 2 inches) long.
Skunk "Warnings"
The musk gland of a skunk is about half the size of a ping-pong ball. The liquid produced by the gland is extremely concentrated and a potent deterrent that protects them from predation. That liquid is metabolically expensive to produce so a skunk prefers NOT to use it if they don't have to. A skunk's conspicuous markings are a way of advertising who they are, so predators will give them a wide berth rather than attacking. If a skunk feels threatened, they will 'warn' the aggressor by stomping their feet, hissing or growling, and lifting their tail. This is usually enough for most predators to change their mind, then both go on their way without harm. Some predators learn their lesson the hard way.... ONCE. Great Horned owls, who have a poor sense of smell, are one of the few carnivores that will take a skunk.
If you see a skunk make those warning signals, simply back off; that will usually be the end of it. Once they turn their rear end towards you and freeze, it may be too late. Most often, a skunk will run away if given the chance.
