VINTON, Va. (WDBJ) – The Vinton Police Department gave a heads up to residents letting them know that they’re likely going to see more skunks in the area during the fall.
“Skunks in Virginia become more active in the fall as they prepare for winter”, Vinton PD said.
During the fall, skunk sightings will be more prevalent because they’re foraging for food and trying to find a safe spot to prepare for the cold winter months, according to Vinton PD.
- Skunks spend a lot of time eating and getting fat in the summer and fall to build up fat reserves in preparation for winter. They don’t truly hibernate, but enter a state of torpor (deep sleep) for long periods when it’s cold.
- As the temperature drops, skunks look for a better home to stay warm. They’ll seek out abandoned burrows from other animals or make dens under decks, porches, sheds, and other structures near peoples’ homes.
- Although they’re nocturnal animals, they might be active during the day for various reasons, such as gathering food, feeding their young, being disturbed from their den, or due to competition from other animals at night. It’s not a concern to see a skunk during the day.
Normally, Vinton PD won’t respond to calls regarding wild animals unless it’s for certain circumstances like if the animal sick, injured, has rabies, acts aggressively, or has attacked a person…