While striped skunks have visited our Littleton farm on a regular basis over the years, this is the first time that we appear to have a skunk family residing on the property. Three skunks, presumed to be a mother and her two kits, have been wandering about at dawn and dusk; indeed, our mix of fields, shrubs, fruit-bearing plants and wood borders offers ideal skunk habitat.
Striped skunks are polygamous and the males are not involved in child-rearing. Once impregnated (usually in late winter or early spring), the female locates (or occasionally digs) a den in which to give birth; she may give birth to ten kits or more but 2-6 is typical. Born by late spring, the young remain with their mother for 2-3 months before heading off on their own.
Omnivorous, striped skunks consume a wide variety of seeds, fruits and insects during the warmer months but may feed on mice as well. Though they become torpid in winter, skunks are not true hibernators and will emerge from their den to search for food during periods of warm weather. Thanks to their warning stripe and irritating musk, they have few natural predators though great horned owls are a notable exception.
Striped skunks are polygamous and the males are not involved in child-rearing. Once impregnated (usually in late winter or early spring), the female locates (or occasionally digs) a den in which to give birth; she may give birth to ten kits or more but 2-6 is typical. Born by late spring, the young remain with their mother for 2-3 months before heading off on their own.
Omnivorous, striped skunks consume a wide variety of seeds, fruits and insects during the warmer months but may feed on mice as well. Though they become torpid in winter, skunks are not true hibernators and will emerge from their den to search for food during periods of warm weather. Thanks to their warning stripe and irritating musk, they have few natural predators though great horned owls are a notable exception.
