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FUND FOR ANIMALS WILDLIFE CENTER ©2006
This baby skunk was found wandering in the daylight, without his mother. |
A citizen in a town about an hour’s drive from The Fund for Animals Wildlife Center in Southern California called to report two baby skunks wandering around a business parking lot. Mother skunks are very doting and based on the citizen’s description, these youngsters sounded too young to be separated.
As nocturnal animals, skunks are rarely out during the daylight, and mothers nurse their skunk babies in their den for a month and a half after birth. Afterward that time, they stay with their mother for up to a year. A pair of skunk babies, just hand-sized, should not be seen during daylight hours and certainly not alone. It was likely that these babies needed help, and that something unfortunate had happened to their mother—even that she had died.
It was getting dark, and businesses were closing for the day by the time staff member Kim Spall and volunteer Geri Smith arrived at the site. They found the babies, and indeed no mother skunk was seen. Without a mother, the skunks would not survive, and so they were scooped up and transported back to the center
These were two terribly scared, ill, anemic and hungry babies. Their teeth were just breaking through, so they were given soft foods after first being rehydrated with subcutaneous fluids. They also needed to be rid of a major flea infestation.
The next morning the babies were stronger and more active, but their eyes were encrusted shut, a common sign of distemper. Since there were no other obvious symptoms of this devastating disease, it was most likely an upper respiratory infection. It was important, though, that this diagnosis be confirmed.
Local veterinarian Dr. J. treats just about any creature brought in, but she does draw the line at skunks in her office. Even at their young age, these little guys could empty a room if they became frightened enough. Fortunately, they had not yet used their “sprayers” since coming to the center. Kindly, Dr. J offered to see the little ones on the condition that she see them outside the office. As thought to be the case, Dr. J’s conclusion was that the skunks had an upper respiratory infection and not distemper. Greatly relieved at the skunks’ good fortune, staff treated the babies with oral antibiotics and eye ointment.
They responded well, and within two days they were standing in their empty food dish and stomping their feet. This foot stomping behavior is a natural behavior to frighten possible predators and is usually a warning of stinkier things to come. And sure enough, it came. When staff member Mirjam Schippers was carefully changing their bedding, it was as if the babies had suddenly realized that there were two of them, and each of them frantically began challenging and foot stomping the other. Fortunately, they were smart enough not to spray each other! Staff were not as lucky, however.
These little ones have been at the center for two weeks, and every staff member has been “christened” by them. While it’s easy to change clothes, staff are routinely sprayed in the face, eyes and mouth. Skunk spray is some nasty stuff, and it’s no wonder it makes such an excellent defense for these animals in the wild.
Soon this little pair will graduate to an outdoor enclosure where they will remain until they are big enough to be released into the wild later this spring. It can’t be soon enough for the center’s seasoned staff, even though everyone couldn’t be happier to save these little orphaned skunks.
Posted May 1, 2006
