The striped skunk is a common nocturnal resident often detected by the small excavations it leaves in lawns and gardens. Skunks dig in two distinct ways, resulting in two different types of holes. Most digging relates to their continuous search for food, while less frequent, larger excavations are for establishing long-term shelter. Recognizing the appearance of these distinct holes helps determine if a skunk is the cause of the disturbance.
Identifying Skunk Foraging Holes
The most common sign of a skunk’s nightly activity is the series of small, shallow holes left behind during foraging. These holes are typically quite small, measuring between two and four inches in diameter. They are not deep, usually extending only an inch or two into the soil, which is just enough to reach the insects living near the grass roots.
The distinctive shape of these feeding pits is often described as conical or V-shaped, like a miniature divot taken out of the turf. This appearance is created because the skunk presses its nose into the ground to detect its prey, then uses its long front claws to scoop out the soil and access the food source. The result is a neat-looking, inverted cone with the loose dirt typically pushed outward around the rim of the opening.
These small excavations are primarily attempts to capture soil-dwelling insects, such as beetle larvae (grubs) and earthworms. When a skunk finds a productive area, it may leave multiple foraging holes close together. This can make the lawn appear as if it has been roughly tilled or aerated overnight. The presence of these numerous, shallow pits indicates the skunk was hunting for protein-rich meals just beneath the surface.
Differentiating Skunk Digging from Other Pests
Distinguishing skunk foraging from the work of other common yard pests relies on observing the specific method and resulting damage. Raccoons, which share a similar diet of grubs and insects, tend to cause much more extensive damage to turf. They use their dexterous forepaws to pull up and flip over large, messy patches or sheets of sod rather than creating small, individual holes.
Squirrels also dig, but their excavations are usually small, deep, and cylindrical holes used for burying nuts and seeds. Since skunks are nocturnal, holes appearing overnight are unlikely to be from squirrels, whose activity is typically observed during the day. Mole activity is different, as these animals create surface tunnels (runs) or push up volcano-like mounds of soil rather than leaving open feeding holes.
Skunk Dens and Burrow Locations
The second type of hole is the permanent den entrance, which serves as the skunk’s home. A true skunk den is significantly larger than a foraging pit, typically appearing as a round or slightly oval opening between six and eight inches in diameter. Den entrances are always wider than conical feeding holes, though some can be as small as four to five inches. The edges of the entrance are often smooth from repeated use and lead into a tunnel that can extend several feet.
Skunks prefer to locate their burrows in sheltered spots that offer natural cover. Common locations include under decks, porches, sheds, or woodpiles, where the structure provides a ready-made roof.
Skunks are opportunistic and often utilize abandoned burrows previously dug by other animals, such as groundhogs, rather than creating an entirely new excavation. The presence of a den indicates a permanent residence, and a faint, musky odor may sometimes be noticeable near the entryway. These permanent holes are distinct from feeding excavations because they are single, large entry points rather than numerous, shallow scoops.