They will also roll beetles that emit a defensive scent, causing the beetle to deplete its scent before they eat it. Skunks will roll caterpillars on the ground to remove the hairs before eating them.Skunks also eat fruits, nuts, garden crops, and scavenge on garbage, birdseed, and pet food.Some of their favorite foods include, mice, moles, voles, rats, birds and their eggs, and carcasses-also grasshoppers, wasps, bees, crickets, beetles, and beetle larvae.They have large feet, well-developed claws, and digging is their primary method used to obtain food. Skunks will eat what they can find or catch.The spotted skunk and striped skunk use similar types of habitat, although the spotted skunk is more likely to be seen in and around forests and woodlands, and is not as tolerant of human activity as the striped skunk The spotted skunk occurs throughout west and southeast Washington. Its fur is a black or grayish black, with white stripes on its shoulders and sides, and white spots on its forehead, cheeks, and rump. The Spotted skunk ( Spilogale putorius), also known as the polecat, ranges in length from 14 to 18 inches, including its tail. It is also seen-or its musky odor noticed-in some suburban and urban locations, particularly near sources of open water. The striped skunk occurs throughout most lowland areas in Washington, preferring open fields, pastures, and croplands near brushy fencerows, rock outcroppings, and brushy draws. Its fur is jet black except for two prominent white stripes running down its back. 1) is the size of a domestic cat, ranging in length from 22 to 32 inches, including its tail. Two skunk species live in Washington: The Striped skunk ( Mephitis mephitis)(Fig. While young skunks are cute and kitten-like, they are wild animals and it is illegal to keep them as pets. Skunks are beneficial to farmers, gardeners, and landowners because they feed on large numbers of agricultural and garden pests. Even when other animals or people are in close proximity, skunks will ignore the intruders unless they are disturbed.
Skunks are mild-tempered, mostly nocturnal, and will defend themselves only when cornered or attacked. Most predators need only one lesson to learn to avoid the skunk at first sight of black-and-white. While other animals try to camouflage themselves, the skunk advertises its identity with its bold coloration. Monofilament recovery and recycling programįigure 1.
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