Watch Out For Those Stinky Skunks!


by Mark Dotson - Date: 2007-01-19 - Word Count: 284 Share This!

There are various species of skunks found throughout the United States including the striped, spotted, hog-nosed and hooded skunks. All are black and white and have that characteristic odor!

Skunks are omnivores; their diets include insects, vegetation, small rodents, eggs, and garbage. Skunks often den under patios, porches or other spaces under buildings. This often creates a problem for those people trying to live or work nearby! Skunks do not truly hibernate. Instead, their metabolism slows and they go into a deep sleep called torpor (their heartbeat and body temperature do not go as low as in hibernation). If there's a sudden thaw, the skunk will awaken and resume activity and then return to torpor.

The Guinness Book of World Records has classified the molecule butyl seleno-mercaptan (C4H9SeH) as one of the world's smelliest. It is found in.... skunk spray!

Skunks usually breed once a year in February or March and bear young in early May. Litter sizes vary from two to 10. The kits are able to spray musk about one to six weeks after birth.

Skunks are nocturnal. Use extra caution if you encounter a skunk during the day or one that is extremely aggressive. This abnormal behavior may indicate that the animal is rabid. Skunks may also cause damage by digging in lawns, gardens, and golf courses while looking for grubs. This digging usually results in small 3- to 4-inch cone-shaped holes or patches of upturned earth.

If a skunk is in danger, it will spray an awful smelling liquid called musk. Skunks can hit their targets from 12 feet away.

If you suspect you have a skunk problem, contact A All Animal Control. This is one stinky situation you definitely want to let the professionals handle!


Related Tags: skunk, wildlife, pest control, trapping, animal control, wildlife business opportunity, animal franchise

Mark E. Dotson is the Chief Executive Officer of A All Animal Control, a Nuisance Wildlife Management firm with offices nationwide.

Mark brings twenty years of expertise to the field of Wildlife Management and Animal Damage Control.

Mark is a Certified Wildlife Control Professional, Certified Wildlife Professional, Academy Certified Professional, Certified Bird Control Expert, Certified Geese Management Professional, Certified Marksman and a BCI Certified Bat Removal Specialist.

Mark lives in Charleston, West Virginia, with his wife, Alisa, and stepsons, Trey and Marc. He works out of the corporate location in the city and a satellite office neatly tucked away in the woods. Mark is also the corporate trainer and consultant for A All Animal Control franchises.

Have you ever wanted to work with wildlife but didn't know how to get started? To learn how you can become a Wildlife Management Professional, visit http://www.aallanimalcontrol.com/franchise.cfm for more information.

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