| |
The Skunks of Sharon
 Contributed
by Kurt Buermann
Mephitis mephitis. The scientific name for the striped skunk means "noxious
vapors." Twice! The armory of the common striped skunk gives
it the security and peace of mind to roam freely and unmolested.
The wildlife observer may even spot them without leaving the yard.
Being an omnivore, the skunk is ideally adapted to a suburban environment.
It roams about a mile from the den, seeking insects, fruits and,
should fortune smile on it, a neglected bowl of pet food. For several
years we have been watching these backyard denizens and have developed
an interest in their lives and habits.
Individuals can be distinguished by their markings. The stripe pattern
and width varies. In fact, some skunks are almost all black, some
almost all white. Some have magnificent bushy tails and some have
less flamboyant, utilitarian tails. Since the advent of our skunk
friends we have noticed that a former plague of woodchucks has ended.
The reason may be that skunks are opportunists and, though capable
of digging their own home, prefer to take advantage of preowned dens,
thereby displacing the woodchucks who probably dug them. Even so,
it is not unknown for skunks to cohabit a tunnel and den system with
other creatures — raccoons, possums, foxes, and rabbits. In winter
the striped skunk does not truly hibernate. It sleeps a deep sleep
with a slowed metabolism. On less cold days it may venture forth
to grab a bite. Skunks breed in February and March. Litters of young — kits,
as they are called — average 4 to 5, but may be as many as
10. It should be noted that, in the breeding season, male skunks
are very touchy and excitable. They may spray humans and large animals
such as dogs preemptively. Most other times you actually have to
work pretty hard to get skunked. The skunk will exercise restraint,
give fair warning by stamping its front legs. But when he bends around
into a horseshoe, head and back facing you, it is probably too late
for negotiations! Once we managed to apprehend a small skunk that
had a sharp plastic ring cutting deeply into its neck. A deft grab
and snip with a shears freed it. (It recovered and was spotted a
few weeks later.) While there was a strong residual odor, it did
not spray. The spray of a skunk has a range up to ten feet with good
accuracy up to six feet.
One of our favorite sights is a litter of young skunks passing by.
Accompanied by their mother, they all huddle and press tightly together.
We are reminded of a fluffy, mobile, black-and-white bath mat as
they undulate across the lawn. Our guess is that this strange vision
baffles and befuddles other animals. Infrequently a skunk is attacked.
Badgers or fishers may pose a threat. They must be VERY hungry! A
skunk's most threatening enemy is the great horned owl, which seems
to be immune to their spray. We have observed skunks feeding in the
company of possums, raccoons, and even our cat, not only in company
but side-by-side!
While skunks are basically meat eaters, related to weasels, they
forage for insects such as grasshoppers and crickets. They are also
very fond of fruits, especially grapes. If you have ever noticed
small holes in your lawn — about 1.5 inches wide and deep — they
are most likely made by skunks searching for grubs, which are one
of their favorite foods.
Skunks are one of an increasing number of wild species such as falcons,
coyotes, deer, raccoons, and possums who have adapted to suburban
and urban environments. While this helps ensure their survival, it
is also the source of conflict and problems. There are measures we
can take to better coexist with backyard wildlife. The case of our
little skunk with the sharp plastic ring cutting into its neck shows
the need to be careful with trash, keeping good lids on all outdoor
containers. Various kinds of packaging are very harmful should a
wild animal ingest or get entangled in them. Particularly pernicious
are the narrow-at-the-top yogurt containers. It is not uncommon for
a small animal such as a skunk to stick its head into one of these
and be unable to remove it. Any sort of plastic netting, ribbon,
or rings should be disposed of or cut open so that animals cannot
become ensnared.
While we do not mind the skunks who have taken up residence beneath
our shed, some folks might not be as tolerant. For them, animal-attracting
spaces should be well sealed. If an animal is suspected of already
living in a space, it's important not to seal it in. One solution
is to fashion a one-way door out of some wire mesh and place it at
the suspected entrance. Hinges are not needed; just cut the wire
on three sides of a square and bend the surrounding (bottom) wire
at the bottom up a bit to allow only a one-way swing. Be careful
not to evict any animal who may be a new mother with young. Midsummer
is the best time for eviction proceedings.
Relocating animals is illegal in Massachusetts, and for good reason.
The animal may return — even from as far as fifteen miles!
Relocated animals may suffer or even die, finding too much competition
in the new area. The new habitat may be unsuitable or overpopulated.
There is a possibility that unattended young may die. Disease may
be contracted or spread to uninfected areas. It is always best to
contact experts when dealing with wild animals. One is the New England
Wildlife Center in Hingham. They will answer wildlife inquiries or
refer you to a knowledgeable source. They also run a top-notch wildlife
rescue center. Call (781) 749-1248 or visit http://www.newildlife.com.
Getting back to skunks, here is a final bit of advice: If you happen
to own a black-and-white cat, be careful on dark nights and make
sure to ascertain the identity of the creature you are picking up.
We've had a few close calls!
Back to Items of Interest
|
|
