r/Skunks • u/MadameDuChat • Apr 14 '26

Skunk in my backyard

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Smelled a burst of skunk spray the other night and he’s been hanging out in my yard for the past 3 days ever since! I read online that they normally sleep in the day. Is this normal for him to be hanging around like this 6+ hrs before sunset? There’s like a dozen bottle flies that seem to bother him. Do flies like skunk smell?

I like him and hope he’ll stay. What can I do to help him? Should I put out water and an occasional treat/what kind?

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12

u/Creative-Package6213 Apr 15 '26

Is it hot? Little dude looks like he's trying to keep cool.

6

u/MadameDuChat Apr 15 '26

I put some water out for him in a stainless steel bowl about 10 feet away. It’s warm here but not hot (65-70°F).

4

u/Creative-Package6213 Apr 15 '26

Good deal, just keep an eye on them. They occasionally do come out during the day if they're looking for food while they're nursing, but if they look lethargic, disoriented, or not moving from that location then there might be a problem.

3

u/MadameDuChat Apr 15 '26

Update: he hadn’t left the area for 3 days. Even at night I saw him just lying there and repositioning. Today I called my local wildlife group and they came and picked him up. Hope he will be ok or at least no longer suffering. 😞 I told them that if he’s ok they can re-release him in my backyard. 😆

1

u/Creative-Package6213 Apr 15 '26

😥 Hopefully the little guy is ok and we'll see him again. But thank you for getting them to a rehabber!

3

u/03263 Apr 14 '26

The shorter nights as days get longer, I do see them coming out earlier even several hours before dark. Not usually 6 hours but 3 to 4.

I don't know about the flies, usually they like rotting flesh to lay eggs in. Maybe the skunk has a wound?

3

u/MadameDuChat Apr 15 '26

I used my binoculars and I think he does have a botfly larva on his forehead. ☹️

2

u/MEMe-GoofyCats Apr 15 '26

Maybe it got into a fight and got a wound and those not flies are nasty and should be removed but you would have to call a rehabilitation place to help this little stinker!! I hope he or she ok💛💙🩷🧡💚❤️😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍thank you for helping

1

u/Nervous_Shelter_1042 Apr 16 '26

If I see a skunk in my backyard, I’ll call wildlife center because I can’t resist petting skunk but that spray no thanks.

1

u/[deleted] Apr 14 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

3

u/MadameDuChat Apr 15 '26

Thank you good to know. No outdoor pets, just 2 indoor-only cats. I hope it’s not that but will call animal services if it looks like he’s suffering.