Reasons why skunks dig

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The sight of the skunk with its distinctive black fur and the white stripe down the middle of its back is beautiful in many ways, but it can be a pest if it gets too close to a domestic or commercial property. One of the ways in which it can do this is by digging around the property and outbuildings, as the animal is naturally ground dwelling and doesn't particularly like to climb unless it has to. This has left the skunk with only one alternative if it doesn't want to climb, and that is to go downwards, and the skunk has adapted well to needing to dig on a regular basis.



The Natural Habitat Of The Skunk

The skunk is an animal that usually puts off a lot of its predators through its coloring, as most potential predators will recognize the white stripe and will want to avoid being sprayed by the skunk. This means that it doesn't need to have a den that is very secure, so a den on the ground is fine for the skunk, and the skunk will usually look for holes that are around ground level that it can use. The skunk is particularly fond of woodland that is within easy reach of a good source of water, and this means that the soil where the skunks will be present is usually moist and easy to move.

Safety And Warmth In An Underground Den

The underground den is a typical nesting spot for a skunk, and it will often be a space that is beneath the roots of a tree or a natural cave that requires less digging from the skunk. However, if it needs to it can burrow well and dig a den entirely of its own if there are no obvious spots that it can take advantage of when it is looking for a new den. Being underground brings an additional warmth, and these dens are also very safe places for the skunk.

The Front Legs And Claws Of The Skunk

The skunk is a natural digger, and one of the best features of the animal is that the strong front legs are ideal for moving large amounts of soil. Along with these strong front legs the skunk also has a fearsome set of front claws, and these help the animal to move plenty of earth too, and cut through any obstructions. These help to contribute to the skunk's status as a natural digger. For more information, you may want to click on one of these guides that I wrote:
How much does skunk removal cost? - get the lowdown on prices.
How to get rid of skunks - my main skunk removal info guide.