Usually we all think of Skunks as eating a lot of garbage, but in reality, they’re eating a lot of other things as well. They love to eat Fruits, Larvae, Grubbies, Earthworms and even Wasps.
Plants
Those who love skunks will be interested to know that the striped predators have a variety of tastes. Skunks eat plants, fruits, insects, and small animals. It is not uncommon to see skunks nibbling on flowers, especially in the garden.
While skunks eat plants, they do not have a great preference. Their main food is insects. During spring and summer, skunks will eat more insects. But when winter comes, they will turn to plants.
Skunks eat plants and animals in equal measure. In fact, it is estimated that a skunk will consume about one third of its body weight in food. They have a strong sense of smell and are opportunistic eaters. They will find food in almost any environment.
Skunks also raid garbage, and they do not fear humans. Skunks can be kept as pets. They are not dangerous to humans, but they can be a nuisance. They will spray an offensive liquid, which can be very uncomfortable. They will also attack chicken coops for eggs.
Skunks do not hibernate, which means they are active at night. They are also known to make burrows with their long claws. These burrows can cause structural damage to houses. Fortunately, skunks rarely attack large prey. They prefer small animals. They will also eat fish in open water.
Fruits
Whether you have a domestic skunk or a wild skunk, you need to be aware of the foods that they like to eat. These animals are omnivores and can eat anything from plant material to animals. They are also able to find a wide variety of foods in the wild.
The best foods for skunks are fruits and vegetables. Fruits are nutrient dense, low in calories, and contain antioxidants. They also supply skunks with moisture.
If you have a skunk as a pet, you can feed it frozen fruit or fruit that you can buy at the grocery store. Apples are a great choice for a skunk because they are rich in potassium and fiber. They are also a source of vitamin C and A. They contain theobromine, a chemical that is toxic to skunks.
Apples are also a good choice for skunks because they are low in fat. You can also add cranberries to their diet. Bananas and pears are also safe foods for skunks.
You can also feed your skunk seeds. They are a good source of protein, but they should be cooked before serving.
You should also avoid feeding skunks dried fruits. This can cause anemia and digestive problems.
Grubbies
Known as opportunistic feeders, skunks will hunt and eat just about anything they can find. They will often raid garbage cans and chicken coops. They will also eat pet food left outside. However, the main food for skunks is insects.
In the natural environment, skunks feed on insects, small rodents, and small mammals. They will also eat plant material, fruits, and seeds. The main diet of a skunk is made up of 70% insects. They also eat small game, bees, snakes, and salamanders. They are also very good diggers. They dig deep holes in the ground to find insects. They also use their claws to kill their prey.
In addition to foraging for food, skunks also raid fruit gardens and vegetable gardens. They will also eat the eggs of ground-nesting birds and honeybees. They will often also raid bird feeders.
Skunks are often attracted to residential areas due to food, water, and shelter. In addition to foraging, skunks may also carry diseases. Keeping your garbage bins and garages closed is a good way to keep skunks from raiding your food. Using dog urine to keep skunks out of your yard is also an option. You can find flakes of coyote urine at gardening stores.
Earthworms
Often, skunks will dig holes in your lawn for earthworms. Often, these holes are only about three inches deep. Depending on the size of the holes, skunks may be able to get into your garden.
Skunks eat a wide variety of foods, including insects, small rodents, frogs, berries, grains, and fruit. Skunks have a very strong smell and can defend themselves with a cloud of stink.
Skunks can be a nuisance in urban areas. However, they can be beneficial to gardens. Often, skunks will feed on insects that may be killing crops, such as worms, beetles, and grubs. Skunks can also eat other small animals such as rats, mice, and lizards.
Skunks may be drawn to gardens and garbage cans. Skunks also dig holes in your lawn for grubs and earthworms. They can also dig under your porch or patio.
Skunks usually live in burrows or secluded areas. They are a common backyard nuisance, especially in colder climates. In the winter, skunks may stay in their dens for long periods. The dens are often hollow logs or abandoned burrows.
Skunks will eat insects, fruit, and vegetables, and will also eat grasses, birds, fish, and small mammals. They also attack bee hives, but they don’t fear being stung.
Larvae
During spring and summer, skunks eat a variety of food. They eat insects, small animals, fruits, seeds, and plants. They are known to eat human food as well. In the United States, skunks are found in populated areas and may become a problem. They have a foul smelling substance that can be spray at people. They can also attack ant nests. They may leave their den during the night to forage.
Skunks are very good hunters. They can tear up large areas of grass in a single night. They are smart animals and have distinct personalities. Their strong claws allow them to dig deep into the earth and seek food. They are also known to be opportunistic feeders. They will eat almost anything, but they prefer to eat insects.
Skunks live in burrows that have been abandoned by other animals. They may nest in hollow logs or brush piles. They can also nest in basements and crawl spaces. They have a long, thick fur that protects them from being stung by bees.
Skunks are also known to raid garbage cans and cat food in garages. They may spray people in the yard and may carry infectious diseases. They are the primary carriers of rabies virus.
Wasps
Several kinds of birds, mammals, insects, and other creatures eat wasps. While many of these animals feed on wasp larvae and eggs, a few birds also eat adult wasps.
Wasps have been studied for their behavior and are known to be highly predatory. However, most wasp species are solitary. They build single nests for their young. When nests are abandoned, other animals will attack them.
Wasps are predatory insects that feed on pests. Many species of bats and other insectivores also feed on them. They are also eaten by mammals and reptiles. Wasps are especially predatory when disturbed. In some cases, wasps sting multiple times. This can be painful and harmful to people with allergies to wasp stings.
Wasps build nests underground. These nests will contain many layers of papery material and may have thousands of residents by summer.
The nests are defended by winged wasps, called hornets. These insects are not good for pollinators, as they will kill large numbers of bees. They also aggressively defend their nests.
Skunks and other animals eat wasps. This can be an issue for beekeepers, chicken farmers, and other people. They also have a strong sense of smell and hearing. Skunks may raid honeybee colonies at night.
Garbage
Among their numerous predatory habits, skunks are known to eat garbage. These predators can be opportunistic eaters, consuming everything from vegetables to carrion.
Although they have a wide range of diet, they tend to consume insects and small animals. They will also eat vegetation, seeds, and fruits.
Skunks eat garbage and other plant matter when food is scarce. They are highly adaptable to the changing seasons and can adjust their diet to match the food needs of their environment.
Skunks have a tendency to raid trash cans and bird feeders in search of food. They also eat insects and small game, such as mice. They have been known to kill young snakes and songbirds. They will also eat eggs and fruits.
In addition to consuming food, skunks have a strong sense of smell. They will also dig up nests of wasps and hornets. The bees will be lured out by the smell of the skunk’s scent.
Skunks can be a nuisance in suburban areas. They will often raid dumpsters and engage in dumpster-diving. They have also been known to eat left-over pet food. They have a strong sense of smell and will often hunt for food that has a pungent smell.