Skunks are adaptable omnivores with a varied diet, known for their distinctive appearance and defensive spray. Consuming both plant and animal matter allows them to thrive in diverse environments. Their ability to adjust to available resources makes them successful foragers in natural and human-impacted areas. Understanding their dietary preferences provides insight into their role in ecosystems and interactions with humans.
Primary Food Sources
In their natural habitats, skunks primarily consume insects. They actively seek out beetle larvae (grubs), crickets, grasshoppers, and beetles. Skunks also consume bees, including honeybees, their larvae, and honeycomb, often digging up wasp and hornet nests. Their strong claws and keen sense of smell help them locate hidden insect sources by digging.
Beyond insects, skunks hunt small animals like mice, rats, moles, and other small rodents. They also prey on small birds, their eggs, and young hatchlings, often raiding nests at night. They also consume small reptiles and amphibians, including snakes, lizards, frogs, and salamanders. Plant matter also forms a regular part of their diet, including berries (wild cherries, blueberries, cranberries), fruits, nuts, seeds, roots, leaves, and grasses.
Seasonal and Opportunistic Diet
A skunk’s diet changes throughout the year, adapting to the availability of different food sources. During spring and summer, when insects are plentiful, skunks rely on these protein-rich foods. Warmer months also bring a variety of fruits and small animals. As temperatures drop in fall and winter, insect availability decreases, shifting their focus to fruits, nuts, seeds, and small mammals that haven’t hibernated.
Skunks are highly opportunistic feeders, meaning they will eat almost anything they can find. This allows survival in various environments, including human-altered landscapes. In urban and suburban areas, skunks frequently forage for food scraps in unsecured garbage cans, compost piles, and pet food left outdoors. They may also consume birdseed that has fallen from feeders. Utilizing human-associated food sources contributes to their success in populated regions.
Foods to Avoid
Certain foods are unhealthy or harmful for skunks. Chocolate contains theobromine, a compound toxic to skunks that can lead to health issues and death. Onions and garlic, whether raw, cooked, or powdered, contain compounds that can damage a skunk’s red blood cells, causing anemia. Grapes and raisins are also known to cause kidney failure in dogs and may pose similar risks to skunks.
Avocado skin and seeds contain persin, a fungicidal toxin that can cause breathing difficulties and fluid accumulation. Processed foods, high in fat, sugar, and artificial additives, can lead to obesity, dental issues, diabetes, and digestive upset in skunks. Pet foods, particularly cat food, are not suitable due to their high protein and fat content, which can lead to nutritional imbalances and organ problems. Dairy products should also be avoided, as skunks are often lactose intolerant and cause digestive discomfort.