Creature Feature – Sleep Well, Stinky

Now that colder temperatures are settling in, striped skunks are moving into their winter dens, which are often empty burrows adopted from foxes or woodchucks. It’s not unusual for skunks to bunk together over the winter, providing added warmth through social thermoregulation. In preparation, the little stinkers have been building up their fat stores to help carry them through the cold months, and while they aren’t true hibernators, they do enter a state of deep sleep known as torpor. During their dormancy, fat gets metabolized at a much slower rate than it does over the summer. 

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve noticed a lot of dead skunks on the roadways. Sadly, their search for good wintering quarters can lead them into the path of oncoming vehicles, so please be vigilant for skunk activity when driving after dark.   

On a side note, skunks often get accused of spraying their stink at the least provocation. The fact is, skunks will only spray when they feel their life is in danger. The reason behind their hesitance to spray is that doing so leaves them defenseless for 10 days and vulnerable to attack from predators. Soon enough, our fragrant forest friends will be tucked away for the winter, along with their strong signature scent! Zzz…

Article by Margie Manthey
Photo by Jodi Sylvester