Skunks have few predators, other than birds of prey and foxes. A skunk will first face its attacker, arch its tail and chatter its teeth. Skunks only spray as a last resort when threatened or frightened. The smell is difficult to remove from skin, fur, or clothes. Skunks defend themselves by spraying a strong-smelling liquid (oil) from special anal glands. Skunks do not have a true hibernation but are dormant for several of the coldest weeks in winter. Skunks are not social but may den together in winter for warmth. About six weeks after they are born, Young skunks can begin hunting with their mother when they are 6 weeks old. Young are born in May and June and weaned in October and November. Skunks can use abandoned burrows or dig their own burrow. Skunks live in dens, hollow logs, or burrows with multiple chambers. Skunks are primarily active at night and move slowly while searching for food. Description: A medium-sized, stout-bodied mammal with a small head. Finally, take the Human Society’s advice and cordon off any vulnerable areas around your home’s foundation using L-footer style fencing.Skunks pose little threat to humans, their property or pets. They are slightly larger and their scent is not as strong as the Eastern Spotted Skunks. Make sure all seals and lids on your trash cans and recycle bins are secure, and periodically clean out these receptacles to remove odors and stray bits of waste. Look for patches of dead grass and eliminate any grub problems you may have.
If you’re concerned about skunks making their winter home on your property, take measures to make your property a less attractive habitat. This means you would see them most before and after long periods of.
And while skunks may spend more time in their dens in the winter, they use them year-round. Though skunks dont hibernate, they can burrow in their dens during especially cold spells. That food supply may in turn become a convenient excuse for a skunk to take up residence underneath or inside your home. Pet food left on a porch, patio or in a garage or shed can also be very tempting to a skunk. The most common of these is unsecured garbage. Grubs are most plentiful in the colder months of the year, as they lay dormant underground or chew on roots in preparation for their spring and summer metamorphoses. Almost all skunks are nocturnal and do their burrowing and feeding at night.īecause skunks forage more infrequently during the winter, certain foods can entice them onto your property. A skunk can tear up a garden or lawn looking for insect larvae. So, like possums, armadillos and moles, skunks are diggers. In areas populated by humans, skunks will make their dens under houses, under decks, in basements, under woodsheds or woodpiles and anywhere else that provides shelter from the elements. They’re looking for warmth and easy access to food and water, which most likely can be found on your property. Skunks will seek out the most convenient locations for their dens. However, the skunk mating season usually takes place in February and March, and most skunk young (or kits) are born in April and May. During the winter, skunks mostly huddle in their dens for warmth. While skunks do not hibernate, they do become significantly idler once temperatures begin to drop. The answers to these questions have as much to do with skunk behavior as they do with other environmental factors that are within your control. But what about the colder months? Can you encounter skunks in winter? Do skunks hibernate, or are they just as active? Are they likely to join you on your property to escape the cold?
Any dog owner who has tried to wash the smell of skunk musk off a sprayed pet knows how persistent and pervasive that odor can be.ĭuring the spring and summer when families and their pets are more active outside, skunk encounters are more common. Skunks can be among the most unpleasant of unwanted animal guests.
0 kommentar(er)
