What Does a Skunk Look Like?
Skunks have black fur with two white stripes down their backs. They are the size of a small house cat, approximately 2 feet in length, including the tail, and weigh between 4 and 12 pounds. Skunks have small, pointed heads with short ears, bushy tails, and short legs with long front claws for digging. Skunks are known for their ability to spray a pungent odor when threatened.
Behavior & Habits
Skunks are nocturnal and are seen most often at dusk and early morning. They do not hibernate, but they may sleep for long periods during the winter. Skunks are well-known for their defense mechanism. They have scent glands that produce a strong, sulfur-smelling odor. When threatened, the skunk raises its tail and stamps its front feet. If the predator does not back away, the skunk quickly twists its body into a U-shape and sprays the attacker. Skunks can spray up to 15 feet accurately, and the smell of skunk spray can be detected at least a mile and a half away.
Professional Skunk Removal in Milwaukee, WI
Advanced Wildlife and Pest Control provides skunk removal and exclusion services in Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin. Our certified wildlife specialists safely and efficiently trap, remove, and exclude nuisance skunks from your home or business.
We will perform a thorough home inspection to identify signs of skunk activity, such as droppings, foul smells, tracks, holes, and denning sites. Live trapping is the most effective and humane way to remove a skunk. After removal, we can seal all entry points to prevent future intrusions.
Skunk Damage & Diseases
Skunks are notorious for the foul odor of their spray and their digging habits. When digging for insects, they will leave small 3-4 inch holes in your lawn. Skunks can also carry rabies, canine distemper, and leptospirosis. Even if a skunk seems calm or friendly, you should never approach a wild animal. Skunks will spray humans and pets, which can cause nausea and intense pain if sprayed directly in the eyes.
Skunk Exclusion
Skunks are a common call we get from homeowners. These critters will often enter yards in search of food or suitable dens under decks, porches, or sheds. Skunks are nocturnal, so smelling one without seeing one would not be unusual. If the smell of skunk lingers for several days, you might have a resident skunk in your yard that needs to be removed. The most effective way to prevent skunks is to create exclusions and habitat modifications around your home.
- Secure trash cans.
- Do not leave pet food outside overnight.
- Treat your lawn for grubs with our seasonal grub control treatments.
- Block access underneath decks, porches, and sheds with our heavy-duty wire mesh fencing.
Solution for Skunk Odor Removal
Mix 1 quart 3% hydrogen peroxide solution, 1⁄4 cup baking soda, and 1 teaspoon liquid soap. Do not add water. This solution can be used to wash skin, clothes, or pets that have been sprayed by skunks. Due to the peroxide, the solution may discolor cloth or lighten the fur of pets. DO NOT use the solution on the pet’s face near the eyes.
Skunk FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What do skunks eat?
Skunks are omnivores. They prefer to eat insects, particularly grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, and grubs. Skunks eat small rodents, eggs, corn, berries, and other vegetation. In urban areas, skunks may eat garbage or pet food left outside.
Where do skunks live?
Skunks are found throughout Wisconsin. They den in hollow trees, brush piles, culverts, and abandoned animal burrows in wooded areas and meadows. In urban areas, skunks often den underneath porches, decks, sheds, and ditches.
When do skunks have babies?
Skunks are polygamous and mate between mid-February and mid-March. Gestation is about two months. The female has one litter of four to eight young in May or early June. The young are fully weaned by the time they are two months old. The female cares for the young alone. In the fall, the young skunks will venture off on their own.
How long do skunks live?
The average lifespan of a skunk in the wild is two to three years. They can live significantly longer in captivity, generally seven to ten years. Coyotes, foxes, bobcats, owls, and hawks prey upon skunks. Skunks are often killed by vehicles because they move relatively slowly.
What does skunks poop look like?
Skunk droppings look similar to cat droppings but may contain bits of undigested insects, berries, and seeds. Skunk scat is tubular with blunt ends and approximately 1 to 2 inches long.
What do skunk tracks look like?
Skunk tracks look very similar to a cat's, but skunks have five toes, and cats have four toes. Another way to tell them apart is the claw marks. Cat claws are retractable and won’t show up in their tracks. In contrast, skunks have large front claws that are not retractable and leave noticeable nail impressions. The pawprints are about 1.5 inches long and wide.
Illustration by Dan Goodman