Photo © 2004 Jim Jung and licensors. All rights reserved.

Skunks

Pepe le Pew notwithstanding, Skunks actually spend most of their time pursuing other matters than love, though February marks the beginning of the season for Skunk romance.

Once the male and female link up and ensure the next generation's arrival they return to (or more rarely) construct a burrow where she gives birth and with Dad's help rears the young skunklets. Within four weeks of birth the baby skunks are accompanying their parents on food gathering expeditions and learning the Ways of the Skunk. By late August or early September the babies, now nearly fully grown often wander off - singly or together - for days or even weeks at a time. This is the season for Skunk odor as numerous, inexperienced, recently independent young Skunks are meeting equally numerous, inexperienced, recently independent offspring of other species and both are learning valuable lessons from these encounters. But come cold weather, the surviving baby skunks rendevous at the natal burrow and snuggle away the winter with Mom and Dad. The following spring they are finally driven away to take their chances in the wide world.

Skunks are famous for their revolting scent which they spray on anyone who gets too familiar. If while camping a Skunk should turn his back on you with deliberation and look back over his shoulder, or stands on his front legs and presents you with his rear end, it's time to beat a hasty retreat. After all discretion is the better part of valor. But Skunks only spray as a last resort since it turns out that they don't like the way they smell anymore than we do - though that's cold comfort for anyone who's ever been sprayed!

In our area Skunks have a more sinister side. They are the chief vector (animal reservoir) for the rabies virus outnumbering raccoons, dogs, coyotes and especially the much-maligned bats. So admire skunks (from a distance), avoid them whenever possible and definitely keep your eyes open. Should you encounter one of these nocturnal animals in broad daylight and acting in a distressed, agressive or bizarre manner, contact your local animal control officer immediately! Rabies is probably the worst bad news our outdoors offers and should neither be ignored or dealt with by the untrained. Be alert.

Offsite Links:

• Beartracker's Striped Skunk tracks page
• Removing skunk odor Nebraska Co-operative Extension
• Urban wildlife, skunk proofing and encouraging skunks to leave

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