ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center has received its first rare Eastern Spotted Skunk after being stuck in a dryer vent.
This rare species is a Tier IV Species of Greatest Conservation Need and Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Upon its arrival, the animal was somewhat dehydrated but in good health overall. The skunk is expected to return home on Friday, January 24.
(Photo Credit: The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center)
These animals have decreased over the last 80 years due to habitat loss, disease, pesticide and rodenticide use, and disjunct forests.
The Eastern Spotted Skunk is native to the Appalachian Mountains, the Great Plains, and the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico. It can spray up to 13 feet and typically weighs 2.2 pounds with a tail between 9 to 13 inches and is an avid climber, according to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.
When the species is threatened, they are known to do a handstand along with putting its tail in the air to appear larger.
Their diet mainly consists of insects, small mammals, bees, and honey.
If you encounter a skunk it is important to give the animal space so it doesn’t feel threatened. If it feels like a threat, they will stand on their front feet with their tail in the air before spraying. Pets don’t read these signs, so it’s important to keep them on a leash if you know one is nearby.
To learn more about the Easter Spotted Skunk click here.