Skunk FAQs
These unmistakable black and white animals are found in most urban environments in Canada. Of the four species in North America, the striped skunk and the spotted skunk are found in Canada. The most prevalent species, the striped skunk, is about the size of a cat with white stripes down its back meeting on the head. The spotted skunk is about half the size of the striped skunk and has white spots instead of stripes. Skunks have small heads and eyes, pointed snouts and short legs that make their movements slow and rather cumbersome.
Skunks are burrowing animals that choose to make their dens under porches, decks, sheds, in wood or rock piles and are capable of digging a den a foot underground. They are nocturnal omnivores, feeding on plants, insects, small mammals, bird eggs and fallen fruits. They do not hibernate and several females may den together over the winter.
Skunks are rarely aggressive unless cornered or defending their young. If approached or threatened and unable to flee, a skunk will usually fluff its fur, lift its tail, stamp the ground with its front feet, and growl. If these actions are not effective in discouraging the intruder, it will lift its tail up over its head and spray. The chemical skunks spray is a sulphur compound that is ejected from two small openings near the rectum. The glands that produce the chemical hold enough for five or six full-powered sprays that can be accurate up to 4 ½ metres. Skunks seldom spray without warning or cause.
Skunks have adapted to urban habitats and have become proficient city dwellers. This often brings them into conflict with homeowners as the animals seek food and shelter.
Skunks and the Seasons
Winter
Skunks do not hibernate in the winter but they may stay in their dens for several weeks during harsh weather, sometimes with several females sharing the same den. They mate in late winter. Removal attempts should not be made at this time because access to alternative den sites is limited due to the snow and ice. Also the frozen ground makes animal-proofing difficult.
Spring
No attempts should be made to remove animals in the spring because babies may be abandoned. Not only is this cruel, but mothers may do considerable damage trying to get to their young. If the mother is removed and relocated, the babies will die an agonizing death and the rotting carcasses will be very offensive for a long time and costly to have removed.
Skunks mate in late winter with four to seven babies born usually in the month of May. The young are born blind and with sparse hair. When they are weaned at six to seven weeks old they have developed their scent, but they are not accurate when they spray. It may take up to eight weeks before the babies are mobile and can be seen walking single file with the mother. Like most animals, the mother is very protective of her young. If startled, she will snarl, stomp her feet and chatter her teeth. If these warning signs are not heeded, the skunk will lift its tail over its head and spray.
Summer
Once the babies are seen outside with the mother, attempts at removal can begin. The importance of making sure that all the animals are out of the den cannot be overemphasized. It may take the runt of the litter several days longer than its siblings to gain the strength to leave the den with the rest of the family.
Fall
During the fall, skunk families will disband. They may be more likely to spray at this time of year as they are defending their den site. They may damage lawns as they dig for grubs until the ground freezes.
Help! My dog was sprayed by a skunk!
Skunk spray is composed mainly of low molecular weight thiol compounds, namely (E)-2-butene-1-thiol, 3-methyl-1-butanethiol, and 2-quinolinemethanethiol, as well as acetate thioesters of each of these. These compounds are detectable at concentrations of about 2 parts per million.
Removing the scent from objects or creatures can be difficult. Some home remedies suggest using tomato juice or vinegar. A more complex and effective remedy includes application of a mixture containing hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and liquid soap. The thiols, which are responsible for the odor, are not water soluble, even with soap, but the baking soda catalyzes the oxidative ability of the peroxide, which oxidizes the thiols into highly water-soluble sulfonates. In an episode of the television program MythBusters, the hydrogen peroxide mix was found to be the most effective smell removal agent.
The recipe:
- one quart 3% hydrogen peroxide
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1 teaspoon liquid soap
- (you can halve these ingredients as it only lasts for 24 hours once mixed)
Mix and apply to the dog using a cloth or spray bottle, leave on for about 5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Remember this contains peroxide, so spot test fabrics first! It may also cause a slight lightening of your dog's fur.
Do you have a problem with skunks? Visit the Ottawa-Carleton Widlife Centre's website!
For more information on skunks, contact the Ottawa Humane Society at 613-725-3166 ext. 262, or send us an email.
Information from the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies and Wikipedia.
