What do skunks eat?
Skunks are omnivores, they eat many different types of plants and animals.
They like to eat plants such as beets, grubs, mushrooms, bulbs, and nuts; but skunks also like to eat meat.
Some common animals that skunks prey on are mice, gophers, squirrels, and rabbits.
Skunks also like to eat insects that other animals leave behind such as dead fish, which is why the skunk has developed a unique method of hunting.
They can turn their noses up at body odor and sweat, but they use this sense of smell along with their strong legs to hop into people’s garages in search of food left by careless humans.
Skunks are scatter-hoarders, meaning they store their food in many places and they remember all of them, making it easier for them to find their next meal.
A skunk’s memory is enhanced with its sense of smell; after finding a place where another animal has buried its food the skunk will mark the spot with urine; not only to keep other animals away but also to remember where it buried its food.
Skunks will even bury their babies with food in the event that they become separated from each other; when the little skunks are born they will instinctively dig up this treasure chest of edibles and feast on them until able to go out and forage for themselves.
Skunk Distribution
Skunks are found throughout North America.
The Striped Skunk is the most widespread, which can be found from Southern Canada down to Panama.
The Eastern Spotted Skunk and the Hog-Nosed Skunk are both more common in southern regions of North America.
Although skunks can be found in a variety of habitats, they prefer areas with dense vegetation.
Skunks are solitary creatures and live on their own unless looking for a mate or raising their young
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