WAYNESBORO, Va. (WRIC) — As spring approaches, Virginians may be eagerly awaiting smelling the fresh blooms of fragrant flowers, but there’s one creature to beware of, as encounters increase between January and mid-March… skunks!
Skunks can be found in a wide variety of habitats and ecosystems throughout Virginia, but they don’t often come into contact with humans intentionally, as they are nocturnal and generally solitary creatures, according to the Wildlife Center of Virginia.
Despite this, the odds of a close encounter increase around this time of year, as most skunks in the Eastern United States mate between January and mid-March.
Like other mammals that typically live alone during their adult lives, the center said skunks move between habitats and travel outside of their normal areas to find other skunks to mate with.
According to the center, skunks are polygamous. Males mate with more than one female during the mating season and may travel several miles in search of females each night.
As skunks are ramping up their activity levels, crossing roadways, exploring areas outside of their established territories, and potentially coming into contact with humans more often, the center urges Virginia residents to keep the following tips in mind:
- Slow down while driving and watch out for skunks crossing roads, especially at night and
during twilight hours. - Don’t litter! Food litter left behind by humans near roadways is an easy meal for a skunk, but can often result in the animal being hit by a vehicle. Remember, no litter is safe litter!
- Prepare your outdoor space to safely deter mother skunks from denning near your home. Check for existing or possible den sites beneath porches, crawlspaces, and other residential structures.
- Visit the center’s Skunks as Neighbors page for more information on how to safely prevent skunks from becoming long-term residents near your home.
- Learn to recognize defensive behavior in skunks in the event of an unplanned encounter. Skunks have poor eyesight and can be approached slowly, though it’s always important to watch for signs of agitation. Before spraying, an agitated skunk will first stamp its feet, turn around (with backend toward the target), raise its tail, and look over its shoulder and hiss. If the perceived threat does not leave, a skunk can spray up to five or six times, and reach targets that are 15 feet away.
- Use extreme caution when interacting with skunks, especially when close contact is necessary. In Virginia, skunks are a species considered to be at high risk for rabies and roundworm. Visit the center’s Sick and Injured Wildlife page to learn more about how to safely assist injured skunks.