Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis)

The striped skunk should need no introduction. Skunk are black and white, ranging from nearly all black, to black with a single broad white band from crown to tail tip. Large skunk may reach lengths up to 28'' with about 10'' of heavily furred tail. Weights up to 13 Ibs. have been recorded.

Like most other members of the weasel family, skunks have glossy guard hairs and dense underfur. They have a very strong odor from their musk glands.

Reproduction

Skunk mate during the first warm weather in February and March. Litters of up to 10 young (usually about 5) are born in May after a 63- day gestation period. The young remain with the adult female until midsummer.

Dens are found under buildings, rock piles, sawmill slab piles, hollow logs, or abandoned woodchuck burrows. Winter dens are usually some form of ground burrow.

Habitat

Skunk prefer rather open country. Farmland with a mixture of brush, woodlands, pastures and cropland is ideal skunk habitat.

Habits

Skunks are mainly nocturnal, but their activity period includes both dawn and dusk. They eat large numbers of insects and small rodents as well as frogs, snakes, eggs, birds, berries, fruits, and carrion. Skunk become inactive during cold winter weather, but they emerge to feed during warm periods. Males wander widely during the breeding season. Skunk depend upon their scent glands for defense. As a result of their effective glands, skunk are relatively unwary and easily observed.

Diseases

Skunk are susceptible to distemper and rabies. The symptoms for these diseases are very similar. In the final stages, the animal might be indifferent to the trapper's approach, have crusty eyes, shake or quiver, and drool or foam at the mouth. Rabies can infect humans while distemper can be caught by dogs and pets.

Always use rubber gloves when handling skunk. Any contact with skunks found dead or dying of no apparent cause should be avoided. Of course, the trapper should also avoid being bitten and use the precautions mentioned later in skinning any animal. If the trapper is bitten, the animal should be killed without damaging the brain. The trapper should immediately wash the wound and go to a local doctor. The suspected animal should be immediately delivered to the County Health Office for a rabies test.

If the trapper suspects the animal may have rabies, he should kill the animal without damaging the brain and report it to the County Health Office. The animal should be removed from the trap (wearing rubber gloves) and placed in a sturdy plastic bag which is then securely fastened.

Trapping Tactics

Skunk pelts are best from November to January. Their habit of denning during cold weather means that they must be trapped most intensely during the early part of that period or during warm spells.

Skunk are not trap shy, and they can be taken in a wide variety of sets. Many are caught in dirt hole sets for fox or raccoon. Cubby sets, dirt-hole sets and sets near dens account for large numbers of skunk. Size 1 to 1 1/2 foothold traps are most frequently used. Medium sized body-gripping traps are effective for skunk, but they must be used very carefully to avoid catching and killing domestic animals. Box traps also may be used effectively for trapping skunk.

Baits and Lures

Fish oil, skunk musk and asafetida are all good skunk lures. Sweet-smelling lures such as oil of anise or honey can also draw skunk to your sets.

Fresh or rotten flesh is good for skunk as well as opossum. Because of their broad food preferences, skunk are easily baited.