If you’ve been noticing a foul odor in the air recently, you’re not alone. Unpleasant as it may be there is a natural cause for your nose to be offended. In Ohio, February is breeding season for skunks.
During this time of year, male skunks will visit several females, and each female may mate with multiple males. A litter of 2-10 kits are typically born furless and blind between April and June. At around six weeks old the young ones are weaned and will accompany their mother on hunts. The young will go their own way at about one year of age, when they are mature and ready to breed on their own.
Although there are several species of skunk throughout the world, only one — the striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) — is native to Ohio. They are found in every county throughout the state. Finding credible data on the skunk population is difficult, but according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, results from a 2012 county-by-county study revealed that Portage County has a median skunk population, fewer than some of its neighboring counties. More recently, nuisance skunk trappers who work in the county have reported an uptick in trappings.
Striped skunks are about the size of a house cat and are easily recognized by their black bodies marked with a white ‘cap’ and two white stripes running down the length of their back. However, there are color variations that exist including, all black, cream, cinnamon and albino.
Skunks have five slightly webbed toes on each foot and their front toes are equipped with long, curved claws that allow them to dig for food or dens.
Claws aren’t the only tool that skunks are equipped with. They have sharp teeth, although skunk bites are rare. They also have thick fur that protects them from stings. But the most infamous tool at a skunk’s disposal is its musk. Although there are other mammals that have musk glands, skunks are the only ones that can project their musk into a spray. Skunks have good aim and can hit their target from about 15 feet away. The musk is oily which makes it persistent and very pungent. Besides the strong odor, a direct hit to the eyes can cause temporary blindness.
Because a skunk’s anal glands carry only a small amount of musk, spraying is used as a last resort. At the first sign of danger, a skunk will hold up its tail as a warning flag. Even if its aggressor is color blind, the black and white contrast is an effective attention getter. Skunks will flee when possible. If either of these tactics don’t work, a threatened skunk will stomp its front feet as another warning. When all else fails, a skunk’s last and most effective line of defense is to spray.
Most animals learn to leave them alone after an encounter. However, skunks do have natural predators. The most common skunk predator here in Ohio is the great horned owl. Fishers, which are making a comeback in the Buckeye State are also effective predators of skunks.
Skunks are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plants and animals. They often eat pests that are harmful to gardens and crops. They will dig up and consume grubs and underground yellow jacket nests.
Here are some fun skunk facts:
- Because of its staying power, skunk musk was once used in making perfume
- Skunks are not true hibernators but may stay in their winter dens for long periods
- Skunk tracks resemble bear tracks only much smaller
- Skunks can spray when they are only one month old
- Skunks are very adaptable and can live almost anywhere from farms to urban neighborhoods
- Skunks make a variety of sounds including chirps, growls, grunts, and squeals
- Skunks are excellent swimmers
- Striped skunks are not great climbers, unlike their cousins, spotted skunks who climb trees to raid nests
- In Ohio it is illegal to release a captured skunk onto another property
- It is legal in Ohio to own a domesticated skunk as a pet. However, additional permits may be required, and they demand a lot of attention and time.
