BABY SKUNKS
Five
baby Striped Skunks lost their mother near Little River Canyon National Preserve
when she was accidentally crushed by farm equipment. A Park Ranger called on
The Wildlife Center to care for the little orphans, still so young their eyes
had not yet opened. It took days of patient nursing by Wildlife Center staff
and volunteers before they adjusted to their new formula and began eating well.
Now they are weaned, and it is a joy to see them tumbling together
playfully with their round little bellies and their beautiful, fluffy striped
tails. They will be returned to the area where they were found when they are
old enough to make it on their own.
INTERESTING
SKUNK FACTS:
1. Skunks have their scent gland from the day they are born, and can spray when they are only 8 days old, so Wildlife Center staff and volunteers must be careful not get to sprayed.
2. Skunks will warn you when they are about to spray. First they face you with their tail in the air, then they stamp their front feet before turning their behind toward you and spraying (bottom right photo).
3. The black and white pattern of the fur varies greatly among individuals, as you can see from the photographs.
4. Skunks have long powerful claws which are used for digging.
5. Baby skunks are called kits and an average of 4 to 5 kits are born to a litter.
*If you find an injured or orphaned wild animal, please call our Wildlife Hotline at (205) 621-3333.