![]() ![]() Skunks trail raccoons as vectors of rabies, although this varies regionally (raccoons dominate along the Atlantic coast and eastern Gulf of Mexico, skunks throughout the Midwest and down to the western Gulf, and in California). The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recorded 1,494 cases of rabies in skunks in the United States for the year 2006 - about 21.5% of reported cases in all species. Instead, they undergo a torpor state and this helps them to conserve energy. The most prevalent cause of skunks biting humans is the rabies virus. While a domesticated skunk with its scent glands removed may defend itself by biting, there are few recorded incidents. It is rare for a healthy skunk to bite a human. It wakes up often and may leave the den to search for small animals, berries or seeds to eat. During the winter the skunk sleeps and lives off of the stored body fat. During this time, skunks will rely on stored body fat. The mothers and kits move into large dens and snuggle together to keep warm. It is important to know that skunks do not hibernate however, they can become dormant or semi-active during cold weather by staying in their den for days or even weeks at a time and only moving around when a lot of snow is above ground. In the fall the skunk eats a lot and grows a thick coat. The mother skunk takes them out to hunt with her at night. In 2 months they are no longer fed the mother's milk. The babies are skinny, blind, hairless and without teeth. The female may have 4 to 8 babies (kits) in late April or early May. When a badger, coyote, bobcat, fox, eagle or large owl is hungry enough, it will attack the skunk. Out comes a terrible-smelling yellow mist. Then the skunk swings its rear end around, lifts its tail up out of the way and shoots. It stiffens its legs, stamps the ground with its feet, snaps its teeth, and its hairs stand up. If the snow is too deep to forage for food they will remain in their dens and sleep until. They will sleep where they get the opportunity to, and you might not see them sleeping at the exact location very often. Raccoons and skunks do not hibernate but will be active except in the most severe weather of winter. These animals can be found in hollow trees out in the open or dens made in uninhabited buildings, crawl spaces, sheds, and attics. Raccoons do not truly hibernate, but they hole up in dens and become inactive during severe winter weather. First, it gives a warning when something approaches. Raccoons sleep in trees and abandoned urban settlements. The skunk has musk glands and can shoot a liquid that has an awful odor. ![]() It sniffs out meadow mice, gophers, moles, squirrels and chipmunks. Skunks hunts at night, walking slowly along, catching insects and looking for small fruit. ![]()
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