Skunks lets learn more

Let’s Learn About

Deanna Jump & Deedee W ills

Table of Contents

What are they? 1
What do they look like? 2
What do they sound like? 3
How do they protect 4
themselves?
What do they eat? 5
Where do they live? 6
Glossary 7

W hat are they?

This mother is carrying one of her kits in her mouth.

Skunks are mammals.

They are warm blooded

and have fur.

In May the female skunks

usually have five to seven

babies. Baby skunks are

called kits. 1

W hat do they look li ke?

Skunks are about the same size as a cat.

Skunks are black with
white stripes down their
back. They have a bushy
tail. Skunks have small
eyes and ears.

2

W hat do they sound li ke?

Skunks are usually quiet

animals. Sometimes they

whistle to communicate

with each other. If they

are mad or afraid they

will let out a loud

screeching sound. 3

How do they protect
themselves?

When skunks are in danger
they lift their tail and
squirt a spray at their
enemies. The spray
smells really bad and it
can sting their enemy’s
eyes and skin.

A skfunukn’s fsparcayt:can 4
travel as far as 10 feet.

W hat do they eat?

Skunks are omnivores.
They eat things like frogs,
worms, insects, bird eggs,
fruit, and grass. They use
their excellent sense of
smell and their sharp
claws to dig and find food.

5

W here do they live?

This skunk made his home in an old tree stump.

Skunks sleep in burrows

of other animals. This

might be a hole in a tree

or a hole underground. In

the winter they stay in

their burrows and sleep

most of the time. 6

Glossary

mammals- animals that are
warm blooded and have fur.

burrow- an animal home
that is made from holes in
logs or underground.

omnivore- an animal that
eats meat and plants.

For more fun 7
facts and to hear
how they sound
click on the skunk.