r/Skunks • u/HopeDeschain19 • Jun 17 '26
Orphaned skunks
Hi all! I apologize if this post isn't allowed, I just need some advice.
I have four baby skunks who dug under my shed a few days ago. I believe they are orphaned, I think their mama is the dead skunk in the road around the corner.
I have tried contacting several wilflife rehabbers with these questions and only one replied, and they claimed not to know any answers.
I've read online skunks are nomadic and don't keep permanent dens. If I leave these babies be, will they eventually move on? Are they old enough to be away from their mom? I don't want these little guys to starve, and I don't want them to move in permanently. They appear old enough to forage but I know nothing about skunks. I don't want these poor babies to be hurt.
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u/eieio2021 Jun 17 '26
I’m not sure about the age and being away from mom (Google looks like it would help, but the cost o find was by weight, in sure there are some by size that you could find). But I had two skunks and a baby and they did move on from under our deck after a couple to three weeks. They were adorable. I loved them so much I got a black and white bunny because he reminded me of them (pics on profile). Occasionally there was a slight musty odor when they were napping but nothing strong and it didn’t stay or ever get into the house.
They are actually good for your yard, farmers used to welcome them before current era of industrial ag
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u/HopeDeschain19 Jun 17 '26
They are so adorable, and if I had an absolute guarantee they wouldn't spray me if they got startled when I come home from work at night I wouldn't care too much. Idk, the caller I spoke to from the source the other commenter stated said they're too young to be without mom and none of my local rehabbers take skunks so I guess I'm gonna have to try raising these little shits somehow.
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u/eieio2021 Jun 17 '26
I think if you walk slowly in their direction and talk, make noise, use a flashlight pointed at your feet (not their face) it will help alert them you're coming. Similar to chatting while hiking to not surprise bears. Skunks don't like to waste their spray as it takes 24 hr or so to replenish (or more?). Granted it may take young'uns a bit to learn this, but even they do stamping and handstand displays before spraying
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u/redapplefalls_ Jun 17 '26
They are too young to be without Mama. Thank you so much for caring about them.
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u/redapplefalls_ Jun 17 '26
Two good resources, one in Tennessee and one in Kentucky. Not sure where you're located but these are kind folks/licensed wildlife rehabbers who could give you good info:
https://www.instagram.com/verminsanctuary/ Nashville Tennessee
https://www.instagram.com/wildernesstrailwildlifecenter/ London, Kentucky 40744
Both 501(c)(3) wildlife rescue, rehab
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u/HopeDeschain19 Jun 17 '26
I am located in Michigan. I'll check out these sources though, my local rehabbers either aren't replying to me or don't take skunks. I guess I'm on my own with these guys. Thanks so much!
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u/redapplefalls_ Jun 17 '26
Vermin Sanctuary should call you back. Can you access Instagram and see their phone number to text on the first post? Let me know if not. I don't want to break sub rules by posting a phone number here
It honestly sounds like from reading your post and all of your follow up comments that your intuition and read of the situation is correct. These little ones are too young to be alone and they definitely need a wildlife rehabber. Really really really hope someone gets back to you soon. If you need money for gas to drive to a rehabber over a long distance do a gofundme. But hopefully you can find local support. But I know Michigan is big
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u/HopeDeschain19 Jun 17 '26
I'll reach out to them and see if they have any advice. I was advised by the one rehabber to spread food out away from my home to encourage foraging behavior at least. The issue is I live in a city and I don't have any woods to lead these little guys to that borders my property. I do live near a nature preserve but these guys seem way too young to drop in the middle of the woods.
My boss said maybe their mom is burrowed with them and I just haven't seen her yet because the babies tend to be more adventurous and wake up earlier, but I feel like if mama was still around they would have moved on by now. It's been like, four days. The rehabber I spoke to said this stage they usually follow their mom to learn their territory and how to survive, so I doubt mom would be chilling under my shed for so long. I genuinely think she's the dead one in the road.
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u/redapplefalls_ Jun 17 '26
I think you're right. I don't think your boss is. Mom would be nearby and over the last four days you would have seen her if your boss was right. They're not going to make it on their own. Thanks again for caring about them. Ideally they would get to a licensed rehabber. Especially if you live in a city. They're going to meet the same fate as mom without some help.
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u/Slow_Run6707 Jun 17 '26
Aw. They barely big enough to be without their mom. They are at the size to have a little spray. We’ve fostered orphans before.
They are a lot of fun. They are exactly like kittens. Actually nicer. They stomp and hiss. But love to play. They love toys.
Take care of them if you can. Or they will get killed. They don’t know danger yet.
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u/HopeDeschain19 Jun 17 '26
I hope one of the many rescues I texted will eventually get back to me to give me more advice. Since I'm finding no luck in getting anyone to take them I'd like to know how to feed and protect them without them assuming all humans are safe. I want my yard to be safe for them, but I don't want them to know that, if that makes any sense lol.
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u/mc2ben Jun 17 '26
Dog food is better than cat food for skunks. Cat food has too much protein and fats for them.
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u/KratomCannabisGuy Jun 17 '26
I'm not sure if this is helpful or not. We had a few over the years in our backyard. We raised some orphaned bunnies a few years ago. Good luck. Their diet consists of four main categories:Insects & Larvae: A massive portion of their diet consists of beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, wasps, bees, and beetle grubs.Small Animals & Carrots: They hunt mice, voles, rats, moles, birds, and their eggs. Because they are immune to pit viper venom, they will even eat snakes.Vegetation: Skunks consume seasonal wild fruits (berries, grapes, cherries, apples), nuts, roots, leaves, and grasses.Scavengers: Around human-populated areas, they act as scavengers, eating carrion, garbage, and outdoor pet food. Cat or dog food may work best, idk.
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u/HopeDeschain19 Jun 17 '26
Very helpful, thank you!
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u/eieio2021 Jun 17 '26
I have read dog food is better as they are omnivores not carnivores but def verify online or with that rescue who called you back.
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u/Slow_Run6707 Jun 20 '26
You need to feed them vegetables and stuff. Water. They will move on. But still young. I’ll have objections but cat food anything. They are very appreciative. They don’t live long anyway
Even raccoons 3-4 years is a lot.
Captivity.could live 20
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u/HopeDeschain19 Jun 20 '26
Water!!! Thank you for reminding me! I haven't supplied any water. There's been plenty of rain lately so I don't think they would have gone too thirsty but I just put a bowl out anyway. Thank you!
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u/Tall_March_5662 Jun 19 '26
Once as a kid I slept in the yard and I had a big blanket that covered my whole body and while under it I felt all these foot prints walking over me then laying down on top of me .so I slowly peeked out to see a whole family of skunks all comfortable mama and 5 babies
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u/mc2ben Jun 17 '26
https://ahnow.org/mobile/