what do skunks eat in the winter

Grubs are the staple of the skunk diet. Skunks are not true hibernators in the winter, but do den up for extended periods of time. Winter and fall seasons restrict the availability of food sources and during these cold months, a skunk will rely on any small prey they can get. During the fall and winter, when food is scarce, skunks will scavenge for fruit, nuts, bird seed, and pet food. Skunks do not have these drastic drops in heart rate or respiration. This is easily fixed with a little fencing. frameborder="0" allowfullscreen> What skunks eat in nature is thought to be nuts and berries, here is what wiki says about skunks"Skunks are omnivorous, eating both plant and animal material and changing their diets as the seasons change. However, skunks are not only partial to insects; they will eat leaves, buds, grasses, grains, garbage, any fruit or berries within reach, and even small game. They eat large amounts so that during the long naps they do take they can survive on their fat stores. They eat insects and larvae, earthworms, grubs, small rodents, … During cold snaps and harsh weather, they stay in their dens. Skunks can also pose a danger to your vegetable garden or fruit trees. Skunks do prepare for winter in similar ways as hibernating animals though. Over winter, multiple females (as many as 12) huddle together; males often den alone. They’re immune to snake venom. Common Nesting Areas. Skunks will often prefer an animal to eat over plants, but depending on the time of year, they may have to rely on foraging to find food. Why Caution For Skunks In The Winter? This makes surviving easier when there is heat to share. Skunks can be very nice to have around because they dig up and feed on the larvae of cutworms, Japanese beetles, hornworms, and other crop-destroying insect life. Skunks eat wasps and honeybees are immune to their sting. This time period is scientifically known as torpor, and skunks will fall into this state as the temperature drops and food starts … [Related Article: What Do Skunks Eat?] Your very first question, like many others, is why in the world do you have to be cautious about skunks if they are mostly dormant in the winter? So, like possums, armadillos and moles, skunks are diggers. During their long winter naps, skunks can sense a rise a temperature. Grubs are most plentiful in the colder months of the year, as they lay dormant underground or chew on roots in preparation for their … Skunks are nocturnal, solitary creatures that don’t travel long distances. Fencing is also a good idea for protecting pets. 17. Skunks build dens in almost the same areas, but do not climb into trees. As a last resort, skunks will eat small mammals, including mice, rats, rabbits, and chicken eggs. This makes them a nuisance to beekeepers, but also integral to keeping wasp populations low. If you let pets run free on your property, you may want to be proactive about not having skunks … What do skunks eat in the winter? Skunks have been known to eat poisonous snakes such as rattlesnakes. However, they remain generally inactive and feed rarely, going through a dormant stage. With their gentle nature, however, skunks can spend the winter in groups of a dozen or more. These are inviting, especially in winter. A two foot fence will keep skunks out. That is a very good question and it is understandable as to why you would ask it. What do Skunks eat? They’re unaffected by doses of venom 100 times higher than … Often, the same winter den is repeatedly used. Skunks don’t necessarily hibernate, but they are considered dormant during the winter months, meaning that you likely won’t see these creatures in your yard during the coldest months of the year. 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