How Skunks Use Their Claws
The danger of using their stinky spray, also known as skunk spray, thiols, thioacetate, or n-butyl mercaptan, is that once it is depleted, it’s gone for up to two weeks. Skunks without their spray are vulnerable to predators. Since skunks are only the size of a typical house cat, they prefer to reserve their spray for authentic predator situations rather than spray at will for everyday meeting purposes. Skunks use their claws far more frequently. While using their claws as defense is a last-ditch effort, it can be an effective one once the spray has been exhausted. Skunks have ridiculously sharp claws that are absurdly long and strong for their little bodies. The claws are only matched by their sharp little teeth that can really cause some damage if a predator decides they want to test a hypothesis at their earliest convenience.Food
Skunks use their sharp claws to forage for food. Your lawn does not benefit from this. Skunks will scratch up the top layer of grass to unearth grubs, worms, and other insects to feast on for a light snack. However, if the skunk feels a more substantial hunger and happens to be after a burrowing animal, like a mouse or a shrew, they will go in with their claws to dig deep after the rodent. The damage to your lawn could be extensive and take quite some time and money to repair.Shelter
Skunks are burrowing animals. Often, they will use the abandoned dens of other animals that have gone elsewhere. Sometimes, however, there are no rooms at the inn, and skunks have to create their own home sweet home. Most of the time, skunks will seek out lodging that is relatively close to a food source. Trees near river banks with ample insects and grubs or woodpiles near old barns with plenty of mice and vols are popular burrowing areas. Your house, unfortunately, can also be a popular nesting spot for skunks. While they likely won’t try to make their way in and set up shop in the attic or garage, they might try to burrow under the porch. Skunks have also been known to burrow underneath and snatch an egg or two for dinner if you have a chicken coop nearby. If not, your trash will suffice as nourishment for plenty of meals.
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