Skunks can be a nuisance when they burrow through trash, make their dens under porches and sheds, and of course secrete their foul-smelling spray to ward off threats. Now that fall is here, skunks are preparing for a period of less activity during the winter, but they will not be hibernating throughout the colder months like some other species of animals. You may see skunks in your yard during the winter.
How Skunks Adapt to Winter
Skunks make their winter dens in ground burrows, in hollow logs, and under decks, porches, and buildings. Although they are usually solitary, skunks sometimes spend the winter in groups in their dens to keep warm.
Striped skunks do not hibernate during the winter. During the coldest times, they will stay in their dens and enter a state of torpor. While they are in that state, their body temperature, breathing, and metabolism will decrease, but not as much as they do when animals are hibernating.
Skunks sometimes wake up from torpor during the winter. If the temperature is above 30 degrees Fahrenheit, they may leave the den to forage for food at night. They may eat insects, eggs, frogs, snakes, earthworms, and other small animals. They may also forage for berries, leaves, grass, roots, and nuts. Skunks may dig through trash cans looking for food and may dig holes in lawns looking for grubs, worms, and roots.
What to Do If a Skunk Has a Den under Your Shed or Porch
If a skunk is living under your porch or shed, it may be getting ready for the winter. A skunk can be a nuisance if it sprays and digs through trash cans or digs up a yard looking for food.
If a skunk has become a problem, you should not try to catch it yourself because it is likely that you would get sprayed. Call the professionals at Anderson Wildlife Control. We will humanely live-trap the skunk and relocate it to another location where it can find a new den for the winter. We do not use any pesticides or poisons or harm the animals we capture in any way. Contact Anderson Wildlife Control today to get help dealing with your skunk problem.
