About skunks
Appearance
Skunks come in different colors; however, they are mostly found in Black and white, cream, or brown colors. Though, the animals may vary in size, but usually measure between 40 and 90cm in length, and weigh between 0.5 and 8.2kg. The Hog-nosed skunks seem to be bigger than other species, while the spotted skunks have the least body weights. Most skunks do have furs that are predominantly white or black in color, however, all skunks have stripes, even from the moment they are born. Skunks may have single stripe, or a stripe that runs from the back to the tail. Some skunks may have broken stripes, while others have thinner stripes that may show up in their legs.
Biology
Skunks do not often hibernate during winter, but they are relatively in active during such periods. When winter periods are over, as many as 12 female skunks can live together in one then, while the males are known to stay alone. Skunks have perfect sense of smell, however, their vision is very poor, and can hardly see objects that are beyond 3 meters away from them, thus , they are vulnerable to death. Skunks give birth to their young ones alive. Pregnant female skunks generally pass through a gestation period of about 65 days.
Life cycle
Skunks do have a life cycle of between 2 and 10 years.
Habitat
Skunks are known to shelter inside burrows, especially inside woodlands and somewhere they can find softer soil to dig. Skunks are predominantly found in rural areas but they are now found in urban areas due to rapid expansion into rural regions
Diet
Skunks are predominantly Omnivorous in nature, thus they can consume plant and animal materials. They are capable of changing their diets from one season to another. Skunks are capable of eating insects, larvae, worms, snakes, frogs, birds, lizards, moles and eggs. They can also consume leaves, roots, berries, birds, rodents and leftovers from pet foods.
Behavior
When not breeding, Skunks are generally solitary in nature, the females often give birth around the month of May, and shortly before then the pregnant skunk excavates its then to provide enough room for its litter. Skunks are usually deaf and blind when born, however, they are covered in their mother’s furs for protection.
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Read more articles about skunks that I wrote based on my years of experience. Find out if it is legal to trap a skunk and what to do if a skunk gets inside your house. Learn some humane ways to kill a skunk in a cage and if it is safe to handle a skunk with bare hands. I can show you how to keep skunks out of your a href="skunkgarden.html">Garden and how to Exclude Skunks without Trapping Them. Find out if skunks fight each other or are generally aggressive. Learn if skunk feces are dangerous to touch or breathe and what you should do with a skunk after you catch it. I can show you the equipment that is needed to trap a skunk as well as how to Find and Remove a Dead Skunk. Read about the Diseases Skunks Carry, why skunks dig, and about their natural diet. Learn, too, if a skunk under a shed or porch will have a nest of babies.
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