Skunks are omnivorous animals meaning that they
feed on both animal and plant material; they
have a diet that is very flexible because it
usually varies depending on the season. They are
commonly referred to as the opportunistic
feeders. Skunks usually eat insects and their
larvae forms, grubs, rodents that are small in
size, frogs, salamanders, snakes, birds, moles
and bird eggs. They also feed on fruits like
berries, roots and leaves from certain trees,
grass and fungi and different types of nuts. In
the urban areas, skunks will scavenge in any
garbage to get food; they will also steal pet
food and birdseed when they invade your home.
Specific diet for wild skunks
We already know that skunks are omnivorous and
that their diet depends on the season, in the
wild, they mainly feed on small insects and
other animal matter. Ideally, the bigger chunk
in their diet is usually animal matter.
In spring
Wild skunks will mainly feed on small rodents,
insects larvae forms and eggs from birds that
mainly lay on the ground.
In summer
They will eat crickets, beetles, grasshoppers
and any other insect. During summer and spring,
they will take minimal plant matter because
their favorite diet is in abundant supply.
During winter and fall
They will mainly feed on plant matter, they will
eat berries because they are plentiful, they
will also eat grass, roots and leaves, they will
also eat small rodents; like rats and moles
during season. Skunks are very good survivors
because of the fact that they are opportunistic
eaters, they will eat on anything that is
edible. Did you know that they are the primary
predators when it comes to honey combs? Yes,
they will use their thick furs as protective
devices against stings just to have access of
beehives if they come across them.
How do skunks get their food?
Skunks are very good hunters, therefore they
will always walk around hunting for anything
that is eatable. They will always forage during
the night for small mammals, insects and small
rodents. They also use their sense of smell to
get food. This mainly applies when they are
looking for their favorite grubs. They have the
ability of smelling into the ground and when
they sense that there is a grub underground,
they dig up holes that are funnel shaped to get
to the grubs and feed on them immediately. They
also use their well developed claws to kill
small rodents and small mammals before they eat
them. Since they are aggressive feeders, they
will use any, means possible to ensure that they
get something to eat.
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