Skunk - Behavior

Behavior

Skunks are crepuscular and solitary animals when not breeding, though in the colder parts of their range, they may gather in communal dens for warmth. During the day, they shelter in burrows they dig with their powerful front claws, or in other man-made or natural hollows as the opportunity arises. Both genders occupy overlapping home ranges through the greater part of the year, typically 2 to 4 km2 (0.77 to 1.5 sq mi) for females, up to 20 km2 (7.7 sq mi) for males.

Skunks are not true hibernators in the winter, but do den up for extended periods of time. However, they remain generally inactive and feed rarely, going through a dormant stage. Over winter, multiple females (as many as 12) huddle together; males often den alone. Often, the same winter den is repeatedly used.

Although they have excellent senses of smell and hearing, vital attributes in a crepuscular omnivore, they have poor vision. They cannot see, with any clarity, objects more than about 3 m (10 ft) away, making them vulnerable to death by road traffic. They are short-lived animals; their lifespans in the wild are no longer than three years, with most living only up to a year. In captivity, they may live for up to 10 to 15 years.