Skunks are common mammals recognized by their distinctive black and white fur. These adaptable animals frequently forage in suburban and urban areas. Understanding their dietary habits can help individuals coexist with them.
Skunk Dietary Habits
Skunks are omnivores, meaning their diet consists of both plant and animal matter. Their food choices change with the seasons and what is readily available in their environment. During spring and summer, insects like beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, and larvae are a primary food source for skunks. They use their long front claws to dig for grubs and other subsurface insects.
Beyond insects, skunks also consume small rodents such as mice, voles, and shrews. Their diet can also include bird eggs, small amphibians like frogs and salamanders, and even small snakes. In autumn and winter, when insects become scarcer, skunks shift their diet to include more small mammals, carrion, and plant materials like nuts and seeds.
Do Skunks Eat Vegetables?
Skunks do eat vegetables, though they are not typically a primary food source, consuming them opportunistically if easily accessible in gardens or as fallen produce.
Common garden vegetables that skunks might eat include corn, especially lower ears they can reach, and various berries. They are also known to eat tomatoes, carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, and cucumbers. Skunks may also dig for root vegetables if they can easily unearth them.
Protecting Your Garden
To protect a garden from skunks, several humane deterrence methods can be employed. Eliminating tempting food sources is an important first step. This includes regularly picking up fallen fruits and berries, securing trash cans with tight-fitting lids, and storing pet food indoors overnight. Cleaning up spilled birdseed can also reduce attraction, as skunks are drawn to these easy meals.
Physical barriers, such as fencing, can be effective. Fences should be at least three feet tall and buried about 8 to 12 inches into the ground to prevent skunks from digging underneath them. Motion-activated lights or sprinklers can also deter skunks, as they are nocturnal and sensitive to sudden changes in their environment. Addressing grub and insect populations in your lawn can make your yard less appealing to skunks, as these are a major part of their diet.