All About Skunks!
Life-span:
- A skunk usually lives 3 years in the wild.
Appearance:
- There are different types of skunks, but all of them are black and white. Although most skunks are striped, the pattern may also be spotted or swirled!
- The striped skunk has thick, black fur and a white stripe that splits in two at the shoulders and continues along each side of the back to the base of the tail. The tail is usually black. The skunk has a small head with a stripe on the top of its face down to the tip of its nose.
- Its average weight is 3.25 kg.
- A skunk has small, short legs and is very slow.
Behaviour:
- A skunk is nocturnal. That means it sleeps during the day and is active at night.
- A skunk is solitary and likes to be alone, unless it’s breeding.
- A skunk likes to burrow or dig a den under porches, decks, sheds, wood and rock piles.
- If a skunk is threatened, it will fluff its fur, stamp the ground and growl. If it lifts its tail, look out! It’s about to deliver its famous, stinky spray, a liquid produced by scent glands under its large tail. Believe it or not, a skunk can spray up to 4.5 metres away. This smell can last for days, weeks or months on skin and pet hair, and can cause nausea and short-term blindness. A skunk has enough “juice” for 5-6 sprays. It takes a couple of days to refill the scent glands.
Diet:
- A skunk will eat plants, insects, small animals, bird eggs, and fruit.
Reproduction:
- A female skunk has 4-6 babies each spring.
- The babies are called “kits”.
Other:
- A skunk has bad eyesight, but a great sense of smell! It will not spray in small spaces or in its den.
Learn more about other wild animals
