What Is a Group of Skunks Called?

Written by Heather Hall
Published: March 27, 2023
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Skunks are small, black and white mammals that are most commonly known for their powerful odor. They have a distinctive stripe running down the center of their backs and can be found in North America, Central America, and South America. Skunks typically feed on small rodents, insects, grubs, fruits, and nuts. Their primary defense against predators is the secretion of a strong-smelling compound from scent glands located near their tails. While these odors may deter some predators, they also make them unpopular with humans who must live nearby them!

What is a Group of Skunks Called?

Pair of baby skunks, side by side, on a fallen log.

A group of skunks is known as a surfeit, a stench, and an array.

©critterbiz/Shutterstock.com

Various names, including a stench, an array, and a surfeit, describe a group of skunks. A ‘stench‘ is the most often used term for a group of skunks due to their strong and unpleasant odor. An array describes the large number of animals that make up a group when they huddle together in winter to stay warm. Finally, a surfeit refers to an overabundance or excess, which can be attributed to the fact that it’s not uncommon for groups of skunks to congregate around one food source at any given time.

Skunks are generally solitary animals that live alone and only come together during mating season. They have a strong sense of territory and typically mark their boundaries with their musk to keep other skunks away. However, when food is scarce, or the weather is particularly bad, groups of skunks may temporarily form for protection and warmth. In these cases, a group of skunks may be called a “surfeit” or “stench,” depending on where you live.

Why Do They Smell?

Skunks spray a foul-smelling liquid from their anal glands.

©Matt Knoth/Shutterstock.com

Skunks can uniquely spray a foul-smelling liquid from their anal glands as a defensive mechanism. This liquid is composed of sulfur-containing chemicals, which are produced by special scent glands and released when the skunk feels threatened or alarmed.

When they do spray, it can be quite often – up to six times in quick succession! The powerful smell emanates outwards in a conical pattern that usually reaches around 15 feet away. It is so pungent that humans and animals alike will experience discomfort if they get too close.

The good news is that skunks rarely use this defense tactic unless provoked or attacked first, instead opting for warning signs like hissing and posturing before releasing their stench bomb. If you keep your distance, there’s no reason why you should ever come into contact with one!

Where Do They Live?

A skunk peers over a piece of wood

Skunks live throughout North and South America.

©Yasmins world/Shutterstock.com

Skunks are found naturally in many parts of the new world, including areas of North and South America. In general, skunks prefer to live in habitats that provide them with plenty of food sources, such as gardens or fields. They also like to burrow underground for shelter from predators and extreme temperatures.

Skunks can dig their own dens, ranging from simple holes in the ground to more elaborate multi-chambered homes lined with grasses or feathers. Most skunks prefer to use the dens built by other animals, such as foxes or badgers, while others may take up residence under human structures like decks or porches during colder months. In addition to providing protection against temperature extremes and predators, these dense spaces also help keep out moisture which is important for keeping a skunk’s fur dry.

Can Baby Skunks Spray?

What is a baby skunk called - skunk on ledge

Baby skunks learn to spray as they grow older.

©iStock.com/Lynn_Bystrom

Baby skunks, or kits, are born in the late spring and summer months. They typically have six to eight babies per litter and remain with their mother for around four months before being weaned. During this time, the mother will teach her young how to survive on their own in the wild. This includes hunting for food, avoiding predators, and locating shelter from harsh weather conditions.

Newborn skunks are born without fur and are deaf and blind. Their skin is soft and pink, and their eyes stay shut until they are around three weeks old. As they grow older, their fur fills in, and their iconic black-and-white stripes become visible. Additionally, their eyes open around the same time they learn how to spray. They completely depend on the mama skunk for the first month and a half of their lives, eating their mothers’ milk exclusively. The mother skunk is very protective of her young and allows them out of the nest only after they are six weeks old.

Before baby skunks are old enough to leave their home, they are already equipped with a defense mechanism. Even though the scent of a baby skunk’s spray is not as strong as an adult’s, it can still be released without any warning. The accuracy of the spray may not be as precise as an adult skunk when they are young, but they eventually learn to aim it better. Just like adult skunks, babies will use their spray when they feel scared.

What To Do if Sprayed

stinkiest animals - skunk

You can reduce the stench of skunk spray with natural remedies, including tomato juice.

©Geoffrey Kuchera/Shutterstock.com

If a skunk has sprayed you or your pet, a tomato juice bath is a traditional remedy to reduce the smell. Unfortunately, this method does not completely eliminate the odor. Here is an alternative that is safe for people and pets:

Mix together:

  • One teaspoon of dish soap
  • One-quarter cup of baking soda
  • 32 ounces of hydrogen peroxide (the normal 3 percent solution)

Use rubber gloves and wash with a solution consisting of peroxide, baking soda, and liquid soap. If these items are not available, diluted vinegar can be used instead. It is advised not to store this mixture or make it ahead of time, as it can become explosive if stored in a bottle. Rub and scrub the mixture all over the affected area to neutralize the odor. For pets, make sure to rinse the solution off quickly, as peroxide may bleach fur. After rinsing the solution off, the smell should be gone. Also, don’t get it in your eyes!

Conservation

Skunks are threatened by habitat loss due to human development and urban sprawl. This can cause skunks to become isolated from each other, decreasing their population size. Additionally, they may encounter vehicles while searching for food on roadsides or crossing highways, resulting in fatal injuries. Other threats include predators such as coyotes and foxes and chemical pollutants that can disrupt the reproductive systems of species like striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis).

The conservation status of skunks varies depending on the species; some are listed as Least Concern while others are considerably decreasing. Conservation efforts focus mainly on protecting existing habitats and preventing further degradation by establishing protected areas for wildlife or developing sustainable land management practices. To reduce accidental deaths caused by roadways, culverts can be installed to allow safe passage for animals when crossing roads. Education is also important—raising public awareness about the benefits of living with these creatures can help ensure their future survival!

  • Eastern Spotted Skunk – Population is decreasing
  • Striped Skunk – Population is stable
  • Hooded Skunk – The population is increasing
  • Southern Spotted Skunk – Population is stable
  • Western Spotted Skkunk – Population is decreasing
  • American Hog-nosed Skunk – Population is decreasing
  • Humboldt’s Hog-nosed Skunk – Population is Stable
  • Pygmy Spotted Skunk – Population is decreasing
  • Striped Hog-nosed Skunk – Population is unknown

The photo featured at the top of this post is © critterbiz/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Heather Hall is a writer at A-Z Animals, where her primary focus is on plants and animals. Heather has been writing and editing since 2012 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture. As a resident of the Pacific Northwest, Heather enjoys hiking, gardening, and trail running through the mountains with her dogs.

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