Frequently Asked Questions

Raccoons

Are Raccoons dangerous?

A raccoon can certainly be dangerous,although only when cornered, or protecting there young. They have sharp teeth and claws. Many dogs instinctively chase raccoons. The raccoon will normaly run for a high spot to get away, like a tree or a fence. But in the event that a raccoon doesnt make it that far before the dog catches up, it will hold on with its front paws and use its strong back legs and sharp claws to disembowel the attacker.In the event that a raccoon goes in your direction, it is best that you back away.This isn't normal raccoon behavior. It may be that it feels that you are threatening its young, or worse yet, it may be sick. Don't wait around to find out.

How many young does a raccoon have?

2-5 is a common litter. Most young are born in April or May and will stay with the mother up to a year.Usually one baby will stay with the mother even after she has given birth to the next litter. This gives the impression of the mother raccoon, the father raccoon, and the babies. This is just an illusion, as the male raccoon is a threat to the litter. His only job is reproduction, and he is not involved in the rearing of the young. A mother raccoon will fight a male to the death if need be to protect her young.

Can raccoons get rabies?

Yes they can, just like most warm blooded animals. They only get t more often than dogs or cats because they haven't been vaccinated aganst it. If you have alot of rabies cases in your area, don't take a chance.

What do raccoons eat?

Raccoons are omnivores, meaning that they will eat insects, rodents, birds and eggs, fruits and vegetables. Raccoons are fond of turtles, frogs, fish and shell fish. They need water to swallow the food they eat, as they don't have much for saliva glands. This gives the impression that they are clean animals because they "wash the food before they eat" Raccoons often get into trouble by digging in peoples yards for grubbs, causing some real damage to peoples lawns!

How big can raccoons get?

 I've seen some 50 pound raccoons, but most are in the 25-30 pound range as a 2-3 year old raccoon. In the first year of a raccoons life, it grows quickly. Usually getting into the 20 pound range. Then it will gain size more slowly as time goes on.

How long do raccoons live?

 When a popuation of raccoons isn't maintained, they will easily get sick and die young. 1-2 years is average. If the population is healthy the raccoons could live 6-8 years!

Skunks:

So many people find themselves with skunks causing issues on there property, that I've decided to write a little blog to help educate some of you and try to lessen the crisis you feel you may have.

Anytime Animal control is another resource you may use to locate helpful imformation about dealing with all wild animals, or find a wildlife controller in your area to give you a hand.

 So Basically, I'll start with some frequently asked questions about skunks, and we can add on from there.

They can contract rabies. Although they wont be any more prone to it than any other wild animal. If basically a has a high rabies probability, they may have the virus. And you shouldn't risk handling them

How would I know if the skunks in my yard have rabies or distemper?

Signs will develop later on in these illnesses. They will become very thirsty. While you are near by the animals, they should run away. If they dont run away, thats your first clue that something is wrong. They will be dis -oriented. At the latest stages of the illness, they will spin circles like they are chasing there tail. distemper and rabies are both ugly. A crust forms on the eyes, and they cant control the scent glands any more. The skunks will begin spraying a little at a time, all day long. Skunks are night time animals for the most part. If you see them in the day time, something is going on. It doesn't mean they are sick, but it starts to raise the question why they are out and about in the day time. Mabe they just got harrassed by a dog and they are looking for cover. Just be on guard!

How do I know when a skunk is going to spray?

Most times a skunk will give two signals before he sprays. The first is a foot stomp. It is what it sounds like. The skunk will raise up on his back leggs and come down hard on his front paws. He will repeat this untill you get away, because he wants you to know you are too close, and he is challanging you, hoping you will slowly back off, which you should heed, nice and slow! A skunk can spin and shoot in the blink of an eye, so dont make hm any more nearvous than he already is. Next his tail will swell up and he will have it out of the way of his jets, which are located on the inside of the rectum. At this point the fuse on the ticking stink bomb is realy short, and any sudden move will result in a mess. Protect your eyes and back off! The scent will eat plastic and rubber, and it will blind you.

How many skunks could there be under my house?

 I have taken any where from 1-20 from under a home! The one with 20 skunks was in the city of San Diego under a home with a cement slab. There were several entry points and large piles of dirt outside the holes, indicating a large void where the dirt came from. I set several humane traps and took 5-6 skunks per day untill I had them all. Its realy hard to tell how many skunks are in an area without actualy being there and checking the indication.

How many babies does a skunk have?

A normal litter of skunks is 2-4 babies. When they start walking outside the den, they are not much larger than a hamster, and the tail looks  usually large as they follow closely behind the mother  waddeling around looking for food.

Will the Humane Society come and get the skunks?

 The Humane Society is in the practice of working with domestic animals, not wild animals like skunks. They may loan you a cat trap, but then the task of moving a frightened skunk is an issue in itself. It takes training to be able to get anywhere near a caged skunk without getting sprayed.

Are you going to kill the skunks when you catch them?

 When ever it is possible and legal we will find suitable habitat for any healthy skunk. There is a chance it will need to compete with other skunks in the new area, but nature is competitive, and at least the animal has a chance to survive.

How long do skunks live?

Most skunks in the wild live from 2-4 years. In captivity they live up to 10 years.

What do skunks eat? All skunks are omnivores. This means they will eat just about anything. Ground nesting bird eggs, grass hoppers and other insects, road kill, fruit, vegetables, small rodents. They are especially fond of honey and bee larve.

What do I do if I get sprayed by a skunk?

The first thing is to remember not to touch anything made of fabric. Your clothes are most likely garbage.A pint of peroxide with 2 ounces of dawn dish soap will take the smell away. Use it like shampoo all over your body, and rince off. A second application is sometimes needed. but the smell will wash off of you, and dogs as well. It is a yellowish liquid, with alot of oil and sulpher compounds in it. The skunk spray will be broken down by the dawn dish washing liquid breaking the oil down, and the hydrogen in the peroxide breaking down the sulpher compounds.

Do skunks have any natural enemies?

 Yes, believe it or not, skunks are on the menu for owls, coyotes, foxes to name a few. When you think about it, they must be tender because they don't run far. They are near sighted so the predator doesnt realy need to be stealthy. As a matter of fact, if they didn't stink, they would be extinct!