We humans have a complicated relationship with skunks. After all, these creatures have a habit of raiding our settlements and creating a terrible mess, from dug-up lawns to scattered garbage. Worse, they leave behind a stench so foul they can make your eyes water.
But have you ever wondered why skunks go dumpster diving? Do they do this just to annoy us? Or is it a matter of survival?
In fact, what do skunks consume to survive?
To answer that question, read on!
The Skunk’s Eating Habits
As omnivores, skunks eat both animal and plant matter, making it easy for them to adjust their diet depending on food availability – and what type of food is conveniently available depends on the time of the year, the region the skunk hails from, and other factors.
Because food is aplenty during summer, skunks spend this time eating a lot. This helps them prepare themselves and their young for the colder months.
During said colder months, when food grows scarce and is more difficult to access, skunks rely on their scavenging abilities to survive. In urban areas, this can mean raiding our garbage for food.
The Wild Skunk’s Diet
Below are the different types of food skunks in their natural habitat consume:
Insects and small creatures
Skunks tend to hunt creatures smaller than them, as picking on larger creatures can lead to injury and even death.
During spring and summer, skunks usually feed on insects and other types of tiny prey. Examples of such prey include:
- Bees
- Beetles
- Beetle larvae
- Birds (ground-nesting species)
- Cockroaches
- Crickets
- Fish
- Frogs (small species)
- Grasshoppers
- Mice
- Moles
- Newts
- Rabbits
- Reptiles (some small species)
- Scorpions
- Shrews
- Snakes
- Spiders
- Toads
- Voles
- Water snakes
- Worms
As you can see, skunks prey on various animals that are harmful to people, such as those that can spread diseases (e.g. mice and cockroaches) and those that can bite and/or poison us (e.g. snakes, scorpions, and black widow spiders).
In fact, around 70% of what these mammals eat are harmful insects, including those that can be found in our houses and yards. Also, skunks are immune to snake venom – an evolutionary feature that allows them to hunt down and devour dangerous snakes such as rattlesnakes. For these reasons, skunks actually help humans (even if they don’t do it on purpose).
Skunks are among the major honeybee predators. Their thick fur protects them from these insects’ stings.
Skunks don’t just prey on dangerous critters to fill their bellies, however; they also do it to teach their young offspring how to defend themselves from animals that can hurt them.
Plants
Skunks prefer dining on animals over plants. However, when prey is scarce, these animals have no choice but to subsist on plant matter.
When the weather is cold, typically between late fall and winter, for example, skunks will eat fruits as well as crops that they can find rotting on the ground. They tend to forage at night and are well-known for digging the soil for edibles.
With that in mind, the plant matter skunks eat includes:
- Berries (e.g. blackberries, blueberries, and other wild berries)
- Chilies
- Corn
- Dead plant matter
- Grapes
- Grasses
- Leaves
- Nuts
- Roots
- Seeds
Skunks favor fruits and roots above other types of plant matter.
In addition to the above, skunks can also eat mushrooms.
Foods found in urban environments
During times of food shortage, skunks tend to forage for food in urban areas, so it’s not uncommon for them to invade homes to consume decaying plant matter, garbage, and other types of food.
Skunks usually aim for our garbage first, as these often contain the foods they love, including insects and rodents. Additionally, sifting through trash allows these opportunistic scavengers access to rotting food and leftovers. When skunks can’t find edibles in the garbage, they target compost piles, barbecue grills, and any pet food they can access.
If their efforts often produce positive results, there’s a good chance skunks will return to the most rewarding properties over and over again for more goodies. Expect the frequency of such visitations to increase during winter, when prey is hard to come by.
These invasions can leave properties damaged or in a mess, which is why humans and skunks don’t always get along. Their extreme digging habits can result in lawns riddled with holes around 3 to 4 inches wide. Sometimes, these animals even construct temporary dens underneath houses, which can damage the foundation of said houses.
Skunks can also damage the corn in farms and raid poultry houses, making off with eggs or even chickens.
It doesn’t help that these animals leave behind a horrid stench. In fact, a foul odor is usually a good indication that a skunk has been raiding your property. This smell can travel around 1.5 miles and is quite difficult to get rid of.
The Domesticated Skunk’s Diet
Some states in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Germany, Italy, and Netherlands allow people to keep domesticated skunks.
Yes, some people keep pet skunks – these animals can make loving and intelligent pets. If you’re considering getting yourself a pet skunk, just make sure you acquire one from a reputable rescue center or breeder. It’s also a good idea to spay or neuter these creatures and have them vaccinated against various diseases.
So what would a pet skunk eat? We recommend feeding it a wide range of fruits, vegetables, and foods high in protein and carbohydrates. As skunks are prone to obesity and don’t need energy-rich foods, give your pet a low-fat diet.
You should feed your smelly friend twice a day, with each meal containing all the nutrients it needs to stay in good health. If your skunk is four months old or younger, it needs to eat nutritionally balanced meals four times daily.
Let’s examine the kinds of foods you can offer your pet skunk a little more closely!
Fruits
Pet skunks will gain many nutritional benefits from the following fruits:
- Apples
- Bananas
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Melons
- Pears
- Tomatoes
Skunks love berries in particular, but giving them the other fruits listed above can help them enjoy a balanced diet.
Vegetables
Between 30% and 40% of your pet skunk’s daily food intake should be made up of vegetables. Don’t go over this amount, as feeding a skunk way too many veggies can cause it to lose bone mass.
You can serve Mr. Stinky the following veggies:
- Bell peppers
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Cucumbers
- Eggplants
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Red Cabbage
- Spinach
- Zucchini
These veggies can be offered raw or frozen.
In addition, consider giving your malodorous pal the following cooked foods a couple of times per month:
- Butternut squash
- Potatoes
- Sweet potatoes
- Yams
Make sure you cook these foods well before giving them to your pet!
Proteins
While it’s important to give your pet fruits and veggies, the key to providing a domesticated skunk with a balanced diet is feeding it even more protein-rich foods. For this reason, between 60% and 70% of a pet skunk’s diet should consist of proteins.
Protein-rich sources include meats and other types of animal-based foods such as the following:
- Bone marrow
- Chicken (raw)
- Dairy products (e.g. cheese)
- Eggs (raw or cooked)
- Salmon (canned)
- Sardines
- Sweet potatoes
- Yams
These foods can be purchased from supermarkets.
Don’t forget that skunks love eating insects, too. Therefore, you should feed your skunk critters that its wild counterparts consume in their natural habitat. We don’t suggest catching said critters in the wild, however, as wild animals may be carrying diseases that they can then pass on to your pet. Other animals, on the other hand, can be contaminated with chemicals such as pesticides, which can also harm your pet.
Thankfully, reputable exotic pet stores and bait shops sell many of what wild skunks eat, such as:
- Cockroaches
- Crickets
- Mice
- Worms
We also recommend feeding your furry friend protein-rich plant-based foods such as:
- Almond seeds
- Pumpkin seeds
- Sunflower seeds
Vitamins and minerals
Your pet needs to ingest foods and supplements filled with a wide range of essential vitamins and minerals.
Skunks are extremely susceptible to arthritis and other bone issues. As such, among the most important minerals for these mammals is calcium, which is crucial for the growth, development, and maintenance of strong, healthy bones and teeth. The aforementioned cheese and raw chicken are amazing sources of calcium.
These animals also require vitamin D, which helps their body absorb and retain calcium as well as reduce inflammation and prevent infections.
Don’t forget to seek veterinary advice regarding what to feed your pet. Vets specializing in exotic pet care can examine your skunk and determine the foods that it can benefit from the most.
Commercial skunk food
Reputable pet stores sell commercial skunk food, canned insects, and nutritional supplements that your pet can benefit from. You can also order these edibles online directly from their manufacturers.
As it’s a good idea to offer your pet a rich assortment of fruits, vegetables, and protein-rich foods, we recommend consulting a good veterinarian about how much commercial skunk food its diet should consist of.
Foods Domesticated Skunks Shouldn’t Eat
Skunks may be versatile eaters, but there are some types of foods they shouldn’t eat.
For starters, it’s a bad idea to feed skunks:
- High-fat foods
- Processed foods
- Sugary foods
Such foods are usually highly fattening, not to mention chockfull of ingredients that can adversely affect their health. A few examples of such foods you should avoid giving your pet include:
- Chocolates
- Fried foods
- Potato chips
- Sweets
Natural foods that are bad for skunks include:
- Asparagus
- Avocado seeds and skin
- Iceberg lettuce
- Onions
We also don’t recommend offering your pet skunk any dog or cat food, as these are too high in protein and fat for skunks. Only give such foods to a skunk as a last resort.
Conclusion
When it comes to the food they eat, skunks are highly adaptable. While their favorite foods include insects and other tiny animals, they won’t say no to fruits and veggies when prey is scarce.
If you’re hoping to own a domesticated skunk, know that it will need a nutritionally rich and balanced diet made up of protein-rich foods, fruits, veggies, vitamin and mineral supplements, and commercial skunk food.
Don’t hesitate to ask a veterinarian for advice if you have any doubts about what to feed your exotic pet!