How to Tell a Female From a Male Skunk

Skunks live in pastures and prairies near forests. The male mates with the female during the late winter months to early spring for babies to arrive in the months of May and June. It is hard to tell the difference between male and female skunks by simply looking at them. You must analyze their behavior.

Instructions

1. Notice adult skunks that remain alone. Male skunks prefer to stay alone unless it is mating season. Females will live among other female skunks and baby skunks, known as kits.

2. Watch for the more aggressive skunk. A male will attack another male skunk if the newcomer tries to move into its den. Male skunks will fight over living quarters by biting and scratching each other until one retreats. Female skunks are very passive and will only spray if they feel threatened.

3. Recognize the difference in size between male and female skunks. Female skunks are smaller than males by 2 inches. Adult males are about 19 inches long. During the winter months both sexes will gain weight to help stay warm. Females will weigh up to 11 pounds while males weigh up to 14 pounds.

4. Watch from February to March for male and female skunks to get together to breed. Males will send off a scent to bring several female skunks. One male skunk will inseminate several females and then move on while the female skunks carry the eggs, give birth, and raise their young.

5. Look during late April and early May for nests to be made. The female skunk will prepare her nest for delivery, made up of grasses and leaves. The male skunk has nothing to do with making nests for the kits.

Tips & Warnings

• Both male and female skunks live up to three years in the wild.

• Female skunks will deliver up to 10 kits in each litter.

References

• "San Francisco State University: Striped Skunks"