Identify Your Pest Wildlife Striped skunk
Striped skunk
Mephitis mephitis · Also called: Skunk
The striped skunk is a cat-sized, black and white animal known for the strong-smelling spray it uses in defence. In Alberta towns and cities, people usually notice skunks when one dens under a deck, porch or shed, digs up the lawn or sprays a pet.
Size Body 33 to 46 cm, plus a bushy tail
Colour Glossy black with two broad white stripes along the back
Key feature Black body with white stripes forming a V, and a strong musky smell
Season Spring to fall; less active in the coldest winter weather
Where Under decks, porches, sheds, steps and crawlspaces; lawns at night
What it looks like
Look for a low-slung animal about as big as a house cat, with a long, plume-like tail. Most are jet black with a white cap on the head that turns into a white V along the back, plus a slim white line between the eyes. The amount of white differs a lot: some skunks are mostly white on top and others are nearly all black.
Skunks are mostly active from dusk to dawn. They move with a slow, waddling walk and are poor climbers. At night they dig small, cone-shaped holes in lawns and gardens while hunting grubs and insects. A strong, sulphur-like smell near a deck or shed is often the first clue that one is living nearby.
Often confused with
American badger
Black and white house cat
Signs to look for
Musky smell
Holes in the lawn
Burrow under a structure
Tracks and droppings
Night-time sightings
Risks and damage
Skunks are mostly a nuisance, but their spray is a real problem. It can cause burning eyes, brief blurry vision and nausea, and the smell can linger in homes, crawlspaces and on pets for days or weeks. Digging under steps, sheds and slabs can loosen soil, and skunks tear up lawns and raid garbage. No rabid skunk has turned up in Alberta since 1994, but keep well back from any skunk that staggers, seems sick or shows no fear.
In Alberta
The striped skunk is the only skunk found in Alberta. It lives on farmland, in river valleys and in many urban areas, including Edmonton and Calgary. Skunks mate in late winter and females give birth in May, often under decks and sheds, so a den used from spring to late summer may hold a family.
Skunk spray gets its smell from sulphur compounds called thiols. A similar kind of compound is added to natural gas, which is why a gas leak can smell a little like skunk.
How to keep them out
Close off open spaces
Latch your bins
No food left outside
Take away cover
When it is time to bring in a professional
Call a professional if a skunk is living under your deck, shed or home, or if you are not sure whether there are young in the den. Closing a den at the wrong time can trap babies inside. Technica’s licensed technicians can check the animals are gone, use one-way exits and seal the area to help keep skunks out.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a skunk has babies under my deck?
From about May to August, assume a skunk den may hold young. You may hear soft squeaks, or see several small skunks following the mother at dusk. Wait until the young are out and about with her before closing anything, or get professional help.
Do skunks in Alberta carry rabies?
The risk is very low. No rabid skunk has turned up in Alberta since 1994. Even so, never touch, feed or corner one. If a skunk staggers, walks in circles or shows no fear of people, move everyone indoors and call your municipality’s animal services or an Alberta Fish and Wildlife office.
What should I do if my dog gets sprayed?
Keep the dog outside and check its eyes. If they look red, gently flush them with clean water. Wash the coat with a pet shampoo or a de-skunking wash made for pets. If your dog was bitten, has sore eyes that do not settle or seems unwell, contact your veterinarian.