Skunks are highly nocturnal mammals, active primarily between dusk and dawn. During the day, they seek a safe, secluded location to rest and remain hidden from predators. This daily retreat is guided by the need for security and recovery before their nightly foraging begins. Understanding their behavior requires examining the hidden sanctuaries they use to pass the daylight hours.
Preferred Daytime Shelters
Skunks seek out dark, enclosed spaces that offer thermal protection and concealment, utilizing both natural and human-made structures for their daytime rest. In natural environments, they often gravitate toward abandoned burrows created by other animals, such as woodchucks, groundhogs, or foxes. They also find refuge within hollow logs, beneath dense brush piles, inside rock crevices, and under heavy thickets. These locations offer immediate, secure shelter.
The expansion of human development means that skunks frequently adapt structures near homes for their needs. Common urban and suburban shelters include the protected voids beneath porches, decks, and sheds. They may also exploit foundation gaps, crawl spaces, or openings under concrete slabs that provide a stable, dry environment. The choice of shelter is often dictated by proximity to food sources and the availability of a well-drained, quiet location.
Acquiring and Maintaining a Den
While skunks possess powerful foreclaws, they are generally considered poor primary excavators compared to animals like woodchucks. They prefer to take advantage of pre-existing underground tunnels, using their digging ability to slightly enlarge the opening or clear a blocked passage. A typical den entrance is a smooth, circular hole, often measuring four to eight inches in diameter, leading to a main chamber.
A well-established den often consists of one to five entrances and a main nesting chamber. Skunks line this nesting area with soft, insulating materials they gather, such as dried grass, leaves, hay, and small twigs. This bedding is crucial for maintaining body temperature, especially during the colder months when they enter a state of torpor.
Skunks are typically solitary, but their denning habits change significantly with the seasons. In the winter, multiple skunks may gather in a single large den, forming a communal cluster to share body heat and conserve energy. Females also use a single den for about two months to nurse and protect their young kits.
When Daytime Sightings Occur
Observing a skunk during the day is unusual, but it does not automatically signal a problem. Common, non-threatening reasons for daytime activity include searching for a new food source, especially if drought has reduced nocturnal insects. Mother skunks may also forage during daylight hours to meet the high caloric demands of nursing kits. A sudden disturbance to their den, such as yard work or construction, can also compel relocation.
However, a daytime sighting combined with unusual behavior may signal illness, with rabies being a concern. Signs of a sick animal include staggering, walking in circles, or lack of coordination. A sick skunk may also exhibit a lack of fear toward humans or pets, or appear disoriented and lethargic.
If a skunk is moving purposefully and appears alert, it is likely healthy and engaged in necessary activity. If the animal shows symptoms like aggression, excessive drooling, or difficulty moving, immediately retreat and contact local animal control authorities. Maintain a safe distance and never attempt to approach or handle any wild animal exhibiting erratic behavior.