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By Anita B. Stone – When we hear the word, “skunk,” we don’t get a warm fuzzy feeling and are more likely to look for someplace to hide. That’s because skunks get a bad rap, some of it legitimate, but some mistaken. So what are skunks good for? Surprising to many of us, skunks can be a help around the homestead, consuming quantities of harmful agricultural insects as well as various rodents.  

Skunks have been around for a long time. Fossil records date from 10 to 11 million years ago, but genetic data traces them as far back as 30 to 40 million years past. 

Over time, skunks have evolved into many different and sometimes fascinating species. There remain uncertainties regarding the number of species and their classifications. 

Currently, four groups of skunks are listed for the United States. These include the striped skunk, which is most common around the homestead, the spotted skunk, which is often seen, the American hog-nosed skunk, and the hooded skunk, both of the latter living only in certain areas of the southwestern United States. Although the possibility of additional skunk species is still under review, most skunks found in the United States are two species of spotted skunk and the widespread striped skunk, which travels over most of our homesteads and is the most common one seen. 

Should you spot a skunk on the homestead, it is noted to be non-aggressive toward humans, but it will spray any perceived enemy with its special sulfur-based perfume if it feels seriously threatened. However, both the spotted and the striped skunk are cautious about wasting their life-saving but foul-smelling compounds, since it takes about one week or more to replenish the cache. Consequently, should you meet up with a skunk and it feels threatened, it will give plenty of warning before it sprays by stomping, hissing, hand-standing, facing you, tail waving, and growling which actions tell you to stay away. Skunks relay this grand-standing action message by doing a handstand on their front feet, facing you, then bending into a “U” shape with both face and anus now poised in your direction, readying themselves to spray with alarming accuracy. 

The striped skunk can spray with precision for 10 feet up to 20 feet. Besides this high degree of control, skunks can adjust the length and quality of output at will, from a spray to a well-focused stream, often aiming for eyes. 

Spotted skunks are most skilled at these maneuvers. They handstand with their back vertical, shake their tail, fluff their fur, stomp, kick, and hiss in hopes of scaring you away. If their actions don’t work, they will assume the “U” position and, adjusting their “nozzles,” will continue to avert danger. Skunk odor can be detected as far as a mile and a half away.  

Once you understand a skunk’s maneuvering, you can live in harmony with the critter on the homestead. You will find skunks living in an available cavity, an abandoned woodchuck, or fox den because they would rather find a burrow already dug rather than construct their own.  

Skunks are omnivores and eat whatever they can find, depending on the season. Some focus on insects and larvae, especially skunks with large front feet and strong shoulders for digging. Others have wider diet choices, including eggs, lizards, mice, rats, insects, grubs, beetles, amphibians, and a lot of fruits. Mushrooms and acorns are also favorite choices of skunks.   

With such a diversified menu, skunks eat many unwanted and unwelcome critters around the homestead, including such destructive crop insects as Japanese beetles or yellow jackets, along with black widow spiders, scorpions, and venomous snakes. They are resistant to snake venom. They will also rid the homestead of rotting fruit, scrounging the fallen tree fruit, dispersing seeds, and eating any carrion they find.  

We can be thankful that they are not pack animals and not picky eaters. They are also solitary, and can usually find enough food for themselves. Unfortunately, skunks have to protect themselves from predators, such as eagles, foxes, owls, lynx, coyotes, and pumas. Their populations wax and wane. The eastern spotted skunk is considered threatened, but not considered an endangered species or under federal protection at this time.We can be thankful that they are not pack animals and not picky eaters. They are also solitary, and can usually find enough food for themselves. Unfortunately, skunks have to protect themselves from predators, such as eagles, foxes, owls, lynx, coyotes, and pumas. Their populations wax and wane. The eastern spotted skunk is considered threatened, but not considered an endangered species or under federal protection at this time. 

Like all creatures, skunks have a role to play in the ecosystem and like the rest of us, they offer positive and negative qualities. Having a skunk making itself at home under the homestead back porch may not be welcome, but their nocturnal entrance onto the homestead is a sign that homestead owners are getting some help from what is known as “nature’s insecticide.” 

Aside from preventing garden pest overpopulation, skunks rid the environment of unwanted guests such as cockroaches, gophers, moles, snails, and rattlesnakes. Although they may dig in lawns and gardens, and can damage crops, they have their own role to play within the ecosystem. Some homesteaders consider skunks to be the local clean-up crew, with their diet of about 80% of undesirable critters, in both the field and near the home.  

Perhaps if we give this non-aggressive creature a chance, it will prove to be beneficial on the homestead, and allow them to do their part in a world where nature offers a balance between human and omnivore. 

Originally published in the March/April 2022 issue of Countryside and Small Stock Journal and regularly vetted for accuracy.