Skunks don't want to see people any more than we want to cross paths with them. Quick to feel threatened, they resort to a variety of instinctual behaviors to defend themselves against perceived danger. They emerge after the sun sets to explore their environment and forage when the weather is moderate. During colder times of year, they transition into torpor, living on fat stored on their bodies. Continue reading for more interesting facts about the lifestyle of skunks.
Everything to Know About the Life and Behavior of Skunks
Reading children's books about skunks provides lots of laugh out loud moments when unsuspecting characters get caught in path of an animal, whose reaction in the face of fear, is to lift its leg and spray. Forobvious reasons, these creatures are not the most popular animals to spot when spending time outdoors. Although they are not feared for their physical aggression, the smelly odor they emit as a defense mechanism is offensive enough to send people running. There are lots of home remedies to get rid of the smell, such as combining hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dish soap into a mixture for objects, pets, or people who have had unfortunate encounters with skunks. But beyond their stinky sprays, there is lots to learn about the behavior and lifestyle of skunks that is equally unappealing and, well, grotesque.
(1) They like to dig.
Equipped with strong forefeet and long nails, skunks can tear up golf courses, gardens, and front lawns in search of grubs, earthworms, and other food buried in the dirt. When in search of shelter, these destructive animals have been known to find opening in foundations from which to create burrows. In doing so, they can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage.
(2) Spraying is a last resort.
When feeling cornered or threatened, they have an arsenal of defense mechanisms they utilize before actually lifting their tails to spray the infamous odor upon predators. Stomping feet, growling, spitting, fluffing its fur, and shaking its tail are all tactics they utilize to frighten enemies away.
(3) Skunks carry a lot of diseases.
The most serious of these is rabies, which is deadly for humans and pets who are bitten or otherwise come in contact with an infected animal. People should be weary of skunks that are walking around during the daytime, as this is a likely sign of disease. There are two classifications of rabies that are both equally dangerous. Animals that are "furious" and aggressively attack humans are a serious threat. Equally concerning are skunks who present with "dumb" rabies, and behave in a lazy or indifferent manner toward people.
(4) They can survive in a variety of habitats.
For this reason, people need to accept the fact that these smelly creatures will always live close by, as long as there is access to water. They set up dens about 2 miles from food and water sources, preferably in brush hollows, logs, and abandoned animal burrows. But sometimes these unwelcome creatures will take up residence under porches, decks, and other structures around a house.
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