8/7/2023 0 Comments Skunk species![]() I guess you could say they’re spotted but most of the time their ‘spots’ are more like stripes or irregular white patterns on a black background. To be fair, the name in English is not wildly accurate either. The name in Spanish is zorro hediondo manchado which translates directly to ‘spotted stink fox’ which isn’t super accurate but is hilarious. And just like our friend the tayra, they are a member of the weasel family. The spotted skunk is one of three species of skunk that call Costa Rica home. Meet the spotted skunk ( Spilogale angustifrons (not terrible to pronounce)). But let’s forget all of that for second and look at this interesting group of animals with new eyes. They’ve sprayed you or they’ve sprayed your dog, forcing you to take some sort of strange action like bath in tomato sauce. If you are experiencing problems with skunks or have questions, contact your nearest Masswildlife office.I get it, nobody likes skunks. They are classified as a furbearer species, for which a regulated trapping season and management program have been established. Skunks are an important and valuable natural resource in Massachusetts. Outdoor feeding attracts skunks and other wild animals. To help prevent your pet from being sprayed, turn on a flood light and check your yard for skunks before letting your dog out at night. Remove bird feeders if skunks are seen regularly around your yard. Use feeders designed to keep seed off the ground as the seeds can attract skunks. Keep compost piles in containers designed to contain but vent the material. Take out trash the morning pick up is scheduled, not the previous night. Secure your garbage in tough plastic containers with tight fitting lids and keep them in secure buildings when possible. Skunks will raid open trash materials and compost piles. If it doesn’t, try clapping your hands and making some noise from a safe distance. Once you back away, the skunk will no longer feel threatened and will move off. Should you encounter a skunk, speak softly and move away in order to give it room to leave. Remember, share these tips with your neighbors your efforts will be futile if neighbors provide food or shelter for skunks. If you want to make your property less attractive to skunks and avoid having any problems, follow these basic practices. Skunks, like many other wild animals, can thrive in suburban and urban areas. Their primary method of foraging involves digging and often appears as a single, small hole in a lawn, leaf litter, or sand. Thus, they can be found around homes in urban and suburban areas. They will also eat garbage, compost, and bird seed from feeders. Striped skunks are omnivores and primarily eat insects, invertebrates, and fruit. This is the last warning a skunk gives before accurately directing a stream or fine mist of its musk at the perceived threat. If the potential threat does not leave, the skunk will begin to turn its hind-end towards the threat and begin to expose its anal glands and the bare skin surrounding them. If threatened, skunks will give many warning signs before spraying their potential victim. The musk is a strong irritant to the eyes and nose, and acts as a depressant to the central nervous system. The most distinguishing characteristic is a skunk’s ability to direct a stream or spray of musk as far as 10 feet from paired anal glands. Striped skunks are typically docile mammals that tolerate humans in close proximity without showing aggression. When temperatures stay below freezing, however, skunks will sleep to conserve energy. ![]() Skunks will be out and about, stretching their legs and searching for food. ![]() Thus, dog owners should beware on unusually warm winter nights. When nighttime temperatures are above 30☏, skunks become active for periods of time. They do not show much fidelity to above ground retreats, but will re-visit them from time to time. During the summer months, skunks typically sleep in retreats above ground shaded areas in tall grass, under shrubs, in thickets, or under decks and building. The average lifespan of a skunk in the wild is about 2–3 years, but they can live up to 15 years in captivity. ![]() When they leave the den, the kits follow their mother in search of food and will den with her in alternate dens until they are independent at two to five months. The kits do not leave the den until they are approximately 6 to 8 weeks old. If disturbed, females will move their kits to a new den. In late April to early June, the female will excavate a den and give birth to 2–10 kits, which are born blind and helpless. ![]() Breeding season typically occurs from February through March. ![]()
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