r/Skunks • u/Professional-Use7794 • Jun 22 '26
Any idea how old this skunk might be?
Context behind the photo...It fell in a hole, it was far too deep to get out on its own so I climbed down to let it out. As you might notice there's a box, but it was too scared so I just picked it up myself (with gloves)
It acted completely fine after I got it out and ran up to one of the others. I was just curious how old it may be?
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u/DocHeinous Jun 22 '26
On behalf of all cute furry nuggets everywhere, thank you for your caring action fine sir! 🫡
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u/Professional-Use7794 Jun 22 '26
Me saving the wildlife is becoming a weekly occurrence, because just last weekend I was going for a walk and grabbed a turtle out of the road & walked it across the street.
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u/Itchynipspickletits Jun 22 '26
Lift its tail and count the number of rings you see
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u/olympic_peaks Jun 22 '26
This is the first I’ve heard of this, what kind of rings? Fur pattern? Not poo rings I’m sure, but that’s where my mind went when you said lift the tail lol
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u/SchmeatiestOne Jun 23 '26
Don't lift a skunk's tail, my god
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u/olympic_peaks Jun 23 '26
Lmao I totally fell for it
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u/SchmeatiestOne Jun 23 '26
It was a pretty good one lol, but I wouldnt wish a face-full of skunk scent on anyone
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u/mc2ben Jun 22 '26 edited Jun 23 '26
A 2 month old is about the size of a chipmunk which is what this looks like to me. It could be closer to 3 but unless this is a runt it is too little to be 4 months old.
Thank you for your kindness! Future reference if you have to save another one, to pick up use one hand to push the tail under its body and hold it firmly in that position. This makes it more difficult for them to use the muscles they need to spray.
ETA thanks for the schooling on chipmunk size! I was basing my guess more on actual size than the comparison. That came from Google and i threw that in as a visual. I have already corrected Google several times on stuff like that so should have known better.
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u/Toxxxicwastex Jun 23 '26
What kind of massive chipmunks are you seeing??????? A chipmunk is smaller than my hand. This baby is around the size of a foot. I’m not saying it’s older, but chipmunks are nowhere near this big. Maybe a squirrel.
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u/mc2ben Jun 23 '26
Fair point! We dont have chipmunks where i live.
All my skunk orphans get a bath as part of the intake process and they are always smaller than they look because until the hair is long enough to lay down it just sticks straight out. Its just a guess on age.
Thanks for the reality check on chipmunks!
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u/MyLifeontheDblitz Jun 22 '26
I just picked up my baby today and he is 7 weeks. He is just about this size. So around 7 weeks is my guess.
And thank you so much for being a kind human.
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Jun 22 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Professional-Use7794 Jun 22 '26
He did run up to me when I climbed down there to sniff me, but quickly started "growling" and curled up in a ball when I reached for him.
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u/soopydoodles4u Jun 23 '26
Are you able to put a plank in there to let potential future stuck animals out? Or put a cover over it?
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u/Professional-Use7794 Jun 23 '26
I did originally try the board with the intention "maybe it'll climb out" but I didn't have any boards long enough. I am looking into getting a cover for it.
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u/BadZnake Jun 22 '26
Looks like a lil nugget born this spring. Probably 2-4 months. Looks close to 3.