Love Stinks: Skunk Mating Season

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Eastern Striped Skunk
Mephitis mephitis

You may have noticed an unpleasant odor while out on your daily adventures recently. That could be because, in Connecticut, skunks breed from February into March. During mating season, you may notice their famous fragrance wafting through the air. This fragrance comes in the form of a noxious liquid. This unpleasant liquid is stored in glands embedded in muscles on either side of the rectum. Skunks normally use this as a defensive spray, and if you or your pet are the target, watch out. A skunk sprays incredibly accurately and can aim for something more than ten feet away. However, during mating season, male skunks will also use their scent to attract females, while females can use these scent glands to fend off unwanted advances by a male skunk. What I’m saying is attraction or rejection... Love can stink. 

Skunks exhibit polygamous tendencies and do not pair up. While female skunks usually only have one litter each year, a successful male skunk can mate with more than one female during the breeding season. After a gestation period of 62 to 68 days, an average of six baby skunks, known as kits, are born essentially helpless and blind. Be on the lookout for our yearly skunk boom in late April all the way through early June. If you can, avoid calling someone to remove an adult skunk near your home to help prevent having orphaned kits. 

Skunks don’t have many natural predators. They seemingly walk around unfazed, which can be startling. Fear not, they are generally mild-tempered and most likely walked up to you because they didn’t know you were standing there. Skunks use their excellent hearing and smell to find food, but they do not have great eyesight. If approached, remain calm, and they should walk right by. Skunks are mostly nocturnal but also crepuscular species, meaning they may be active at twilight and dawn. Be on the lookout for our stinky neighbors when driving, as they are not equipped to get out of the way quickly and most likely would not see the car approaching. Let ‘em waddle, let ‘em live!

If you need help, call your local animal control officer, police department, or DEEP dispatch (860-424-3333) to get assistance.

Kelly McQuade, Seaside Center Manager / Manager of Living Collections

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