Do skunks hibernate?
No. Striped skunks look for winter shelter in early fall but do not hibernate, so a den under a porch can stay active through the winter.
Striped Skunk
Quick facts
The striped skunk looks for winter shelter in early fall, and spaces under porches and damaged foundations suit it. It does not hibernate, so a den can stay active through the winter.
| Where you'll find it | Under porches and in damaged foundations |
|---|---|
| Mating | February and early March |
| Litter | Average of six, born in May, often in woodchuck burrows |
| Winter | Does not hibernate |
Long Island season
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Striped skunks look for a winter den in early fall, mate in February and early March, and give birth in May, with the young trailing their mother by early July.
How to identify it
In early fall striped skunks look for sheltered spots to spend the winter, and spaces under porches and damaged foundations are what they look for. They do not hibernate.
Signs you have them
- A strong skunk smell around the porch in early fall
- Gaps or holes under a porch or along a damaged foundation
- A female with young trailing behind her in early July
Why it matters
When raccoon rabies spread through Southern New York, skunks were the most commonly confirmed rabies species other than raccoons. Striped skunks mate in February and early March, and an average litter of six is born in May, often in woodchuck burrows.
Can I handle it myself?
Prevention is on you: close or screen holes and crawl spaces, keep dogs confined, and do not feed cats outside after dark.
If a skunk is already denning under the porch or deck, call us before you close the opening.
How Bobby Bugs treats it
We trap and remove skunks denning under decks, porches and sheds, then cover the den opening with wire mesh, with a 6-month written guarantee on nesting removal. For skunks that are only in the yard, we run a 10-day exterior trapping program with no guarantee. Every job starts with a free written quote.
More on Skunk removal on Long Island.
Related answers
Frequently asked questions
When are baby skunks born?
In May. Striped skunks mate in February and early March, the average litter is six, and the young trail their mother by early July.
Sources
Think you have a skunk under your porch or deck? Call (516) 509-6001 for a free written quote.