How to Identify Skunk Tracks

Skunks are common to all but the extreme desert habitats of North America. The most efficient way to know if there is a skunk in your area is by sniffing the evening air. These nocturnal animals also leave their tracks in soft ground. Learn what the smelly mammal's tracks look like to know if you have a skunk nearby.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Notice if the tracks are in a location where it is logical for a skunk to be. Skunks are common nearly everywhere, but tend to avoid heavily populated areas.

2. Count the toes in the track. Skunks have five toes on their front and rear feet, but so do other animals like mink and raccoon. Consider if it is more likely to be another critter in this particular location.

3. Look for claw impressions. Skunks love to dig and have long claws. The marks where the claws sank into the ground must be above the toe marks. A lack of claws might be due to the quality of the impression.

4. Try and find impressions made by hind feet. The hind feet of a skunk are much longer than the front feet. The rear foot makes an impression similar to the front, but with a heal-shaped impression. The claws on this foot appear closer to the actual toes.

5. Measure the length of the track. A skunk impression measures about 1 to 2 inches including the distance to where the claws made a mark in the ground. Without claw marks, the track appears about a quarter of an inch shorter.

6. Determine how deep the impression. Take into account how soft the ground was when the animal came through. The average skunk weighs 1,200 to 5,300 grams.

7. Take a picture of the track and take it to an expert for confirmation.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have a skunk, don't worry. They won't spray unless provoked. They are relatively quiet and harmless animals that keep to themselves.