A basic morning meal for your adult skunk can consist of:
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup thawed frozen vegetables (no asparagus!)
- 1 tablespoon cooked chicken or turkey
- 2 teaspoons of cooked rice, oats, or cereal
How to keep skunks away from your house and yard?
- If you set a trap, be sure to check it at least every 24 hours to make sure you don't capture an animal and keep it from having food or ...
- Bait the skunk trap with peanut butter, canned sardines, cat food, or another strong-smelling food. ...
- Traps designed for raccoons, feral cats, and other wild animals also work well for skunks.
What kind of bait to catch a skunk?
- Canned fish (such as sardines)
- Fresh insect larvae (such as may beetles)
- Bacon
- Cat food or bread with peanut butter
- Marshmallows
How to create a natural skunk repellent?
Easy-to-Use Skunk Repellent Tips and Recipes
- Preventative Measures. Everything is attracted to food sources. ...
- Easy, Low Maintenance DIY Skunk Repellent. ...
- The Ultimate Homemade Skunk Repellent: Homemade Hot Pepper Spray. ...
- Using Household Cleaners. ...
- Urine – the Ultimate Natural Skunk Repellent. ...
- Motion Sensor. ...
What do skunks eat in captivity?
What do Skunks eat in zoos and captivity? In a captive or zoo environment, a skunk is usually fed with commercial insectivores, omnivores and carnivores diet. These commercial foods are manufactured by many different brands for animals like skunks.
What should you not feed to skunks?
What NOT to feed a SkunkNO leaf or iceberg lettuce.NO cat food (dry or canned) Cat food is high in fat and protein and should only be used as a last resort if a skunk won't eat anything else.NO sweets.NO chocolate.NO fatty foods.NO fried foods.NO lunch meat (salami, bologna, etc.)NO hot-dogs.More items...
What do skunks like to eat the most?
Diet. Skunks prefer meat, but will also eat plants and vegetation. Insects, small animals, birds, eggs, poultry, worms, berries, grubs, and grasshoppers are also common food sources. Skunks are attracted to honey and also foods with a strong odor.
Is it illegal to feed wild skunks?
Many people think they're being kind when feeding wildlife. Unfortunately, feeding wildlife can not only cause issues with bringing unwanted wildlife and stray animals into residential communities, doing so is illegal in the state of California.
What do domestic skunks eat?
A pet skunk's diet should include lean protein (chicken or fish), vegetables, some fruits, and cooked grains—all fresh. Skunks have trouble digesting processed foods. In the wild, skunks are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk.
Do skunks eat carrots?
Skunks generally do well when they're fed lean proteins such as fish or chicken, cooked grains and fresh fruits and vegetables. Leafy greens in particular make good veggies for skunks. Good vegetables and fruits to feed skunks include: Carrots.
What time do skunks come out to eat?
nightSkunk Feeding Habits Skunks conduct all of their business when it's dark outside, as they are nocturnal creatures, according to the Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development division. Because they are nocturnal, they feed at night.
Are skunks good to have around?
Although skunks are sometimes seen as a nuisance, they are actually beneficial to farmers, gardeners, and landowners because they feed on a large number of agricultural and garden pests. Skunks have been historically trapped for their pelts and this practice continues today.
Do skunks drink water?
Skunks generally do not drink a great deal of water, but clean water should always be available.
Can you keep a skunk as a pet?
Currently, you can legally own a pet skunk in the following states: Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Do skunks like apples?
Skunks also eat certain fruit and vegetables. They are especially fond of fruits like berries, grapes, apples, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, frozen fruits, and many others they might find on fruit farms.
Will skunks eat dry cat food?
DO NOT FEED CAT FOOD. Cat food has too much fat and too high protien content for skunks. No formal studies have been done with skunks to identify the correct doses of calcium, taurine, or any other supplements.
Do skunks eat bird seed?
Skunks also enjoy eating bird seed, which can sometimes be a nuisance when it comes to bird feeders. If you have an issue with skunks living in your garden, removing any bird feeders -- particularly during the night hours -- may help you solve the dilemma.
What do skunks eat?
It would be like raising a child on a diet of only hamburgers, fried chicken, and water. They wouldn't be too healthy for too long. Skunks need a mix of fruits, vegetable matter, carbohydrates, and protein like we do. And don't be taken in by those begging faces; skunks will eat even when they are full.
How much food should a skunk eat?
They only need about 3 tablespoons worth of food per meal.
How to keep a skunk as a pet?
First, make sure you get a skunk from a skunk breeder—do not just pull one out of the wilderness. Second, make sure you get them spayed and neutered and descented, as this will make it much easier for you to keep one as a pet. This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge.
How long do skunks live?
So long as you feed your skunk a healthy diet and keep them active, they can live up to ten years. However, like humans, they are susceptible to becoming obese along with all of the complications associated with having too much body fat. That's why it's important to know what you should and shouldn't feed your skunk.
What to feed a sailor?
And their evening meal can be: 1 ½ to ¾ cup fresh or cooked veggies 2 2 tablespoons of cooked chicken or turkey 3 1 to 2 teaspoons of nuts, cooked grains, or bread 4 1 teaspoon of yogurt
Can skunks eat anything?
Pet skunks will eat just about anything. Since they are still relatively new in the pet world, how to best feed a skunk is still the subject of some debate and probably will be as long as people care about keeping skunks happy and healthy.
Do skunks eat sugar?
Just like us, a skunk instinctively prefers high-calorie food that contains lots of fat and sugar. This is because, in the wild, you never know where your next meal is coming from, so you have to load up on as many calories as you can. But a pet skunk (much like the modern human) has lower energy requirements, and so it needs a varied diet in order ...
What are the pests that skunks eat?
Many yard pests like snakes, roaches, spiders and scorpions are on the menu for a skunk, as are smaller rodents, especially mice. Based on previous research, the diet of a skunk can be made of up as much as 70% of harmful insects. Some of the common pests that skunks will ingest include: Snakes. Black widow spiders. Roaches.
Why are skunks bad for humans?
If they cannot find prey, they will result to foraging and will eat non-animal materials to sustain. Many humans consider a skunk to be a nuisance and are fearful of their potent and long lasting odor. However, these mammals are actually quit e beneficial to humans as they prey on creatures that are harmful.
Why do skunks rummage through trash?
Here, skunks can find a steady source of rodents and rotting food and they are known to rummage through dumpsters and trash cans to seek out a meal. This is one of the reasons many humans have a negative outlook on the animal.
Do skunks hibernate?
Since a skunk does not hibernate, they are always out looking for a food source and will rely on whatever they can find. They often eat the very first thing they come across and then move on to find additional sources of nourishment. Skunks will not prey on any animal that is larger in size, so they are not feared by many.
Do skunks have self defense?
Skunks do have an effective spray that is used for self defense, but they are not known for having the ability to combat other animals and kill. This means that skunks have to keep things quite simple when they are seeking food and they must look for small animals that will not pose any challenge. If they cannot find prey, they will result ...
Do skunks eat plants?
Skunks will often prefer an animal to eat over plants, but depending on the time of year, they may have to rely on foraging to find food. Winter and fall seasons restrict the availability of food sources and during these cold months, a skunk will rely on any small prey they can get. They will eat food that is not fresh and prefer foods ...
What do skunks eat?
Here’s the answer. Skunks are omnivorous which means they eat both meat and plant. With that in mind, they’ll eat insects, small rodents, as well as berries and nuts. Below is a more complete list of foods that skunks are known for eating.
How old are skunks when they emerge from the den?
The mother will go out foraging for food at night and return to her young in the den to nurse them. Once they reach about 2 months old the babies will emerge from the den and begin learning, with the mother’s guidance, how to forage and take care of themselves. By 4 months old they are small replicas of adult skunks.
Do skunks eat chicken eggs?
Birds – While skunks don’t typically eat flying birds unless they get the drop on them, they do have a reputation with chickens. See more on this below. Eggs – Skunks are notorious egg thieves and will nab any they can, especially chicken eggs if they get into the coop.
Can skunks eat cats?
No, skunks do not eat cats. A cat is much too big for a skunk to eat as a meal, however if defenseless kittens are left unattended it’s possible that a skunk may take one as a meal. So keep small kittens in your care safe indoors if you have seen skunks in or around your property.
Do skunks eat fish?
Snakes – Skunks will even hunt and eat venomous snakes since skunks are immune to snake venom. Fish – Skunk prefer hunting on land, but will eat fish on occasion. If you have a koi pond watch out for skunks.
Do skunks climb fences?
Because of their short stocky bodies they are excellent diggers and will typically gain entrance to the coops this way. Skunks aren’t known for being climbers so climbing fences likely isn’t their preferred way of entering the coop.
Do skunks attack cats?
If you have an indoor/outdoor cat that is regularly fed outdoors then be wary of skunks. If a skunk comes upon a dish of cat food and a cat is standing in its way, it may very well attack the cat by any means necessary to claim the meal. So do watch out for skunks when it comes to outdoor cats.
What Do Skunks Eat?
Skunks are omnivores. While they do have a liking for meat, they do not mind settling for plant-based food to sustain themselves.
Small Prey
Skunks prefer to prey on animals that don’t pose any challenge to them such as insects, rodents, and even the larvae or eggs of these creatures. Here is a list of small prey that skunks usually target for their meal.
Diets Of Skunks in Different Seasons
Skunks thrive in warm weather. They will explore and forage for food during the spring and summer with ease, given that insects and other little animals would be out and about as well.
Skunks Eat Garbage
They’re trash pandas, just like raccoons. You’ll find skunks often engaging in dumpster-diving, trying to find something edible.
Skunks Diet in Urban Environments
They’re quite the home invaders when looking for a meal. In urban environments, skunks have no choice but to sneak into yards and homes in order to access food.
Skunks Eat Plants
Plants aren’t the first option that skunks prefer for their meals. It is mostly an alternative in case they aren’t able to find animal prey or if there isn’t enough food available during the winter.
What do skunks eat?
These animals, like many large rodents, have feeding habits and special diet systems. Skunks are omnivores, so they will eat plant and animal material. Since they are slow moving animals, they cannot chase after their food, so they will feed on anything that is available.
Why do skunks have long claws?
Their long claws and strong feet allow them to easily dig for food. Skunks benefits from low fat foods that have low protein contents. Foods that have high counts of these will make the skunk fat and will also result in laziness and lethargy, which can shorten the lifespan of the animal.
Do skunks raid food?
Skunks are also known to raid a food that may have been stored by another rodent like a weasel . Skunks themselves are not food storers. They eat everything they find and do not being food back to their dens. Most skunks will be seen foraging for food on their own. It is rare to see multiple skunks in the same location.
Do skunks hunt at night?
They spend most of their time foraging and they will hunt at night when not sleeping. Most skunks will be highly drawn to grubs, which they can smell through the layers of soil. Skunks are great diggers, and will make holes in the ground to find grubs and other insects.
Do skunks hibernate?
Since skunks do not hibern ate, they have to be able to find food sources throughout the year, which can be difficult during winter months. However, these animals enjoy many types of food that is found in the wild and they will also eat human food if it is offered or can be found.
Can skunks harm property?
Though they can be destructive to gardens and have been known to damage property at times, they are rather harmless if left alone. If skunks do become threatened, they will warn their predators with stomping and noises before they emit a powerful and pungent spray.
Do skunks eat animals?
However, during the spring and summer, they tend to lean more towards animal materials since they are more common and easily avaiobale. In regards to preferred foods, skunks are not overly picky. They will eat the first thing they come upon, making it easy for them to sustain in the wild.
Skunks Habitat
Skunks will quickly adapt to different habitats that provide them food and shelter. However, these animals will mostly prefer to live close to a water source.
What Do Skunks Usually Eat?
Skunks are omnivorous animals, so they can adapt their diet based on the food they find according to each season. While during summer, skunks will go for some easy food that consists of small prey and insects, during the colder months, they might have issues accessing these natural sources.
What Do Skunks Eat-In Urban Areas?
Very often, skunks leave behind their wild areas and get closer to the urban settlements. This mostly happens when they find themselves in extreme cases. Unfortunately, these animals can invade homes and feed with any food they see in the garbage or human gardens.
How To Feed Pet Skunks
Although their odors are not that pleasing, some people love the idea of keeping a skunk as their favorite pet.
Last Thoughts
Skunks do not have a peculiar diet, but they need to seek the ideal nutrients to survive, especially during the winter months. Since the skunks do not hibernate, they will always look for food from different sources.
Making Sure The Kits Are Orphaned
As humans, we like to swoop in and save helpless baby animals without giving it much thought. But we encourage you to take a step back from the situation. We need to make sure that these babies are actually orphaned and that the mother isn’t coming back for them. So keep an eye out on the baby.
Checking The Laws
Now that the orphaned skunks are inside and safe, you will need to check your local laws. Currently, it’s only legal to keep skunks in 17 states. And if you have too much contact with the kits, it’s nearly impossible to release them back into the wild. So it might be best to contact your local wildlife agency to care for the skunks.
Preparing A Home For Them
One of the first things you will need to do is figure out where to put your baby skunk. A warm dark place is best for them with old towels for bedding. Some people prefer to use an old cardboard box, but it won’t be long until they outgrow this.
The First 24 Hours
Now that your skunk kits are inside and safe, the most important thing to do is warm them up. Most people want to jump right into feeding and giving animals water. But this could cause more harm than good. The reason for this is that it takes a lot of energy to digest food.
Estimating The Age & How Much To Feed
With your baby skunk rehydrating, it’s time to start guessing how old your baby kit is. To do this, you will need a scale and an excellent observation of the skunk. Here is what to look for when guessing how old your kits are and how much to feed them. You can also use this as a guide to keeping up with your skunk’s growth and development.
How To Feed A Baby Skunk
Now that you know how old your skunk is and what they need to eat, you might be wondering how to feed it. Most people want to jump right in and buy bottles used to nurse kittens or puppies. But you don’t want to do this. Skunks are very aggressive eaters, and if you feed them with a bottle, they will engorge themselves.
The Best Formula
What to feed orphaned baby skunks wouldn’t be complete without talking about the best formula to buy. It’s essential to find a formula that will have everything skunks need. The best formula on the market is Esbilac for puppies.
