What's A Skunks Primary Diet And How Does It Find Its Food?

Skunks are interesting little creatures that we can’t seem to get enough of. Despite the dangers of the diseases they carry and the nuisance they pose, there is a certain mystique about these smelly little creatures.

You never hear stories about the long, sharp teeth of a skunk or how they stand on their back legs to intimidate prey. It starts to make one wonder. What do skunks eat? How do they get their food? Is there a mystical skunk pixie out there who cares for skunks and leaves food out overnight? Unfortunately, not but skunks are pretty resourceful.

A Skunk’s Diet

Skunks are omnivores, which means their diet includes a variety of food sources. They will hunt small prey, but skunks are mostly animals of opportunity.

Skunks will hunt small rodents, often feeding on field mice, lizards, frogs and birds. They also love eggs and tend to find them irresistible. An egg is a nutritious treat for a skunk. They will feed on moles and small snakes as well.

Skunks also feed on fallen fruits, nuts and seeds. Acorns and citrus fruits are among some of their favorites. A skunk will wreak havoc on a backyard garden if they have access. They love berries, roots and most garden crops.



That is not the extent of their diet. Up to seventy percent of a skunk’s diet consists of insects that are determined to be a nuisance to humans. This includes beetles and spiders. Skunks also love to eat grasshoppers, crickets, ants and bees. They have been known to raid bee hives for a tasty treat.

Skunks like to dig in the topsoil to find some of their favorite insects. They are particularly drawn to grubs and earthworms and can smell them through the topsoil. Skunks are persistent little creatures and they will root around in the grass until they find what they are looking for.

Their front paws have sharp claws and flexible digits that make it easy to dig and root through grass. They do not have opposable thumbs, but they are quite coordinated with the digits on their front paws.

A skunk’s diet also includes scorpions and black widow spiders. The skunk is not bothered by their venom. These little creatures are also carrion eaters. This means that skunks feed on the decaying flesh of dead animals. While it is grotesque, they do help keep neighborhoods and roadways clean by feeding on the animals that have died there.


Visit our Wildlife Trapper Roanoke home page to learn more about us.