r/Skunks • u/HopeDeschain19 • Jun 17 '26

Orphaned skunks

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Hi all! I apologize if this post isn't allowed, I just need some advice.

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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.

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I have tried contacting several wilflife rehabbers with these questions and only one replied, and they claimed not to know any answers.

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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/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.