Please call our wildlife hospital hotline (541-441-7193) if you have found an injured or orphaned skunk.

Understanding Skunks: When to Help

Skunks are medium-sized mammals known for their distinctive black-and-white coloring and powerful defensive spray. There are two species of skunks in southern Oregon: Striped Skunks, the most common, and Spotted Skunks, which are very rare and only live in mountainous areas away from humans. Striped Skunks live in forests, fields, suburbs, and rural areas. Skunks are primarily nocturnal and crepuscular, meaning that they are most active during dusk, nighttime, and dawn. 

Found a Baby Skunk?

It can be normal to find baby skunks alone, depending on the age of the baby. If the skunk is fully furred, walking steady or foraging, and is alert and not crying out, the baby skunk is likely just exploring near the den. Around 6-8 weeks of age, young skunks may begin leaving their den with the mother and may briefly get separated. 

Whenever possible, it’s best to reunite healthy babies with their mother, since she is the best one to raise them. Separating young animals too soon can hurt their chances of survival in the wild.

Reuniting Skunks

1. Prepare a Safe Container
   • Place the baby (or babies) underneath a ventilated container (such as a laundry basket or cardboard box with holes). Place a weighted object on top of the container that is heavy enough that the baby cannot get out but heavy enough that mom can lift the container.

1. Provide Heat

• If it is below 80 degrees outdoors, add a heat source such as a heating pad set to low underneath half of the container, a warm water bottle, or bag of rice (nothing should be hot to the touch! If it hurts you, it will hurt the baby). If the baby does not have a heat source, it may die.

1. 1. Place the Container Near the Original Location

• Place the container near where the baby skunk was originally found.

1. Leave the Area and Wait Overnight
   • Skunk mothers are nocturnal, so they are most likely to return after dark. Avoid disturbing the area, and keep pets and people away.
2. Check the Container in the Morning
   • If the baby is still there and has not been retrieved, call Wildlife Images at 541-441-7193 for further guidance.

Injured Skunks

If you come across an injured skunk (e.g., bleeding, or visibly hurt, or acting unusual), it will need medical attention. 

When to Intervene

• Obvious wounds, actively bleeding/swelling/bruising
• Respiratory distress (barely breathing or labored open-mouth breathing)
• Neurological symptoms (head ticking back and forth, falling over, stargazing, etc.)
• Shivering or trembling
• The mother is deceased and baby is too young to live alone
• Mother was trapped and relocated
• Entangled in barbed wire/fencing/netting
• Hit by car
• Caught by a cat or dog
• Reuniting strategies have been tried and failed

Before attempting to contain the skunk, please call our Wildlife Hospital hotline (541-441-7193) for further guidance. Only attempt to contain the skunk if instructed to do so by clinic staff.

How to Contain an Injured Skunk

• DO NOT HANDLE SKUNKS WITH BARE HANDS! THEY ARE RABIES VECTORS.
• Capture the skunk with a live trap, large sturdy well-ventilated box, or kennel. You can use a broom or other long pole to usher the animal into the container.
• Wear thick, heavy gloves! You may also want to wear eye protection if the skunk is an adult.
• Bring the skunk to our wildlife hospital during patient intake hours (9am-4:30pm 7 days a week). We prefer if you call ahead so we can prepare for the animal’s arrival, and to ensure that our clinic is able to provide rehabilitation services.

***Do NOT offer food or water to an injured, sick, or orphaned animal unless instructed to do so by clinic staff. Many species require a specialized diet or formula, and young animals and birds can be easily aspirated without proper training and equipment.***