General InformationFlorida is home to two skunk species, the striped skunk and the eastern spotted skunk. Both are found throughout Florida. Their diet consists mostly of insects, but skunks also consume small mammals, fruit, frogs and bird eggs. Skunks are beneficial because they feed on many common garden pests. Skunk sightings are uncommon because both species are primarily nocturnal and tend to avoid humans. They often seek shelter in abandoned armadillo or gopher tortoise burrows.

Finding a skunk in your area is not a cause for concern. Many times, the skunk is simply passing through. Give skunks a wide berth to avoid making them feel threatened. Skunks’ most common defensive behavior is to use their pungent spray, which can deter predators up to 15 feet away. Common predators of skunks include foxes, bobcats, coyotes, domestic dogs and birds of prey.

Striped skunks usually have broad stripes that run the length of the body, but coloration may vary. Characteristic white stripes can vary from broad to narrow, and long to short. This species has a small head, short legs, and a bushy tail. It is about the size of a house cat, measuring about 30 inches in total length, including the tail. When frightened, striped skunks will arch and elevate their tail, chatter their teeth and stomp the ground as a warning. If the threat remains, they will turn around, raise their tail and spray.

Eastern spotted skunks are much smaller than striped skunks. They weigh between one and three pounds and measure about 24 inches in total length, including the tail. The coat of the eastern spotted skunk is mainly black with a series of broken-up white stripes. The eastern spotted skunk has a white, downward-pointing triangle on the forehead and white stripes that start behind the eye and continue down the side of the body. When threatened, spotted skunks will stand on their front feet in a handstand position and spray.

What can be done to prevent conflicts with skunks? Avoid contact with wild animals. Give them plenty of space and never directly handle or

feed wild animals.

Remove or secure attractants, including pet food, gardens, fallen fruit, compost piles, and debris piles in your yard.

Keep pets up to date on vaccinations and monitor their activity to avoid encounters with skunks and other wildlife.

Skunks sometimes dig dens under homes or other structures. To prevent skunks from entering or reentering these spaces, place quarter-inch hardware cloth, metal flashing or cinderblocks at the openings, taking care not to trap an animal inside. Skunks are powerful diggers, so any barrier should be buried at least a few inches into the ground, with an apron extending outward if possible.

Did you or your pet get sprayed by a skunk?

If you or your pet are sprayed by a skunk, there are over the counter solutions and do-it-yourself mixtures that can help. Contact your veterinarian for more information regarding your pet.

Accidentally caught a skunk in your trap? If you catch a skunk in a trap, avoid being sprayed by slowly approaching the trapped skunk and covering the trap with a small tarp or towel. Do not frighten the animal by letting it see you. If necessary, move the trap very carefully so as not to jar the animal. Prop open the door and let the skunk leave on its own, or contact a professional for additional assistance.

Regulatory StatusBoth species of skunk are native species and can be taken year-round. Regulations can be found at MyFWC.com/Skunks.

Options to remove nuisance skunksIt is best to prevent conflicts with skunks by removing common attractants and deterring them from digging dens around your home. Generally, skunks are solitary species, and removing an individual skunk does not prevent others from entering the area. Skunks may move large distances in search of food, so, if an active den is not present, an occasional sighting near your home should not be cause for alarm. Skunks will often move on in due time. Nuisance skunks can be captured and/or humanely killed using legal methods.

Nuisance wildlife, as defined in Rule 68A-9.010, F.A.C., may be taken using live traps, snares or, where allowed, firearms during daylight hours. Check with the local police department or sheriff’s office for firearm ordinances before discharging a firearm.

Cage traps and snares can be used to capture nuisance skunks. Remember: snares are not species-specific traps and the trapper is responsible for any animal caught in a snare.

Use of steel traps and poisons is not authorized for skunks.

Captured skunks can be released on site of captured, euthanized, or relocated within the county of capture on 40 contiguous acres with written landowner permission.

Please note: All traps must be checked at least once every 24 hours. Captured non-target species are required to be released on site.

Northwest Region3911 Highway 2321Panama City, FL 32409-1658 850-265-3676

North Central Region3377 East U.S. Highway 90Lake City, FL 32055-8795386-758-0525

Northeast Region1239 S.W. 10th Street Ocala, FL 34471-0323352-732-1225

Southwest Region3900 Drane Field RoadLakeland, FL 33811-1299863-648-3200

South Region8535 Northlake Boulevard West Palm Beach, FL 33412561-625-5122

Florida Fish and WildlifeConservation Commission

Regional Offices