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What to do if you find an injured or orphaned skunk in North Carolina
Help, I found a skunk! Do this FIRST!
Seeing a skunk does not automatically mean something is wrong. Although skunks are mostly active at night, healthy skunks may sometimes be seen during the daytime, especially while searching for food or caring for young.
What to do RIGHT NOW:
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Contact us IMMEDIATELY! Call or text CWCC right away at 980-389-1133 (leave a voicemail)
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Keep your distance
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Keep children and pets away
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Do not attempt to touch or pick up the skunk
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Observe its behavior from a safe distance
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Do not feed or give water
What NOT to do:
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Do NOT touch a skunk with bare hands
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Do NOT attempt to feed or give water
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Do NOT try to care for the skunk yourself
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Do NOT delay seeking help
Skunks are a rabies vector species in North Carolina, so never approach a skunk that is behaving abnormally.
If a person or pet has had direct contact with the skunk, do not attempt to capture or handle it yourself. Contact your local Animal Control and appropriate medical or veterinary provider for guidance.
What situation are you in?
Not sure? Choose the option that looks closest, we will guide you from there!
Some facts about bats!
A single bat can eat thousands of insects in one night, including mosquitos and agricultural pests!
North Carolina is home to 17 species of bats and all of them play important roles in keeping our ecosystem balanced.
Bats provide natural pest control, Saving farmers millions of dollars each year and reducing the need of harmful pesticides.
Many bats in North Carolina are facing serious threats from habitat loss and White Nose Syndrome, a disease that has caused major population declines.
Bats are a keystone species, meaning their presence supports entire ecosystems, when bats decline, other species are affected too.
A Skunk Is Out During the Day — Does It Have Rabies?
Seeing a skunk during daylight hours does not mean it is rabid. Healthy skunks may be active during the day for several reasons, including searching for food, caring for young, or finding shelter after being disturbed.
Instead of focusing only on the time of day, pay attention to the skunk's behavior and physical condition.
A healthy skunk may:
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Walk normally and with purpose
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Dig or forage for food
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Notice and move away from people
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Travel through a yard during daylight
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Be active while caring for young
Contact CWCC or Animal Control if a skunk is:
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Stumbling, falling, or unable to walk normally
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Walking repeatedly in circles
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Having seizures or jerky, uncontrolled movements
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Unusually unresponsive to people or sounds
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Showing little or no normal fear of humans
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Excessively drooling or showing unusual discharge
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Severely lethargic
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Visibly injured
If the skunk does not leave on its own or appears injured, contact us immediately and our hotline team will walk you through what to do from here.
I Found a Baby Skunk — Does It Need Help?
Baby skunks, called kits, stay with their mother while they are young. Whether a baby needs intervention depends on its age, condition, behavior, and how long it has been without its mother.
Eyes-Closed Baby Skunks
An eyes-closed baby skunk should not be alone.
If you find a baby whose eyes are still closed, please contact CWCC immediately. These very young kits depend completely on their mother for warmth, protection, and care.
Do not feed or give water.
Eyes-Open Baby Skunks
Older, eyes-open babies may occasionally wander a short distance from their mother, so seeing one alone does not always mean it has been orphaned.
If the baby:
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Appears healthy
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Is alert and moving normally
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Has no visible injuries
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Is not continuously crying
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Is in a safe location
observe from a distance and keep people and pets away.
If the mother has not been seen within approximately 24 hours, or the babies continue appearing alone, contact CWCC for guidance.
If the baby skunk does not reunite with mamma, or appears injure, contact us immediately and our hotline team will walk you through what to do from here.
When Does a Baby Skunk Need Immediate Help?
Contact CWCC if the baby:
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Has its eyes closed and is alone
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Is cold, weak, or lethargic
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Is continuously crying
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Has visible wounds or blood
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Has been hit by a vehicle
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Has been attacked by a dog, cat, or other predator
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Has flies, fly eggs, or maggots on its body
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Is stumbling or unable to walk normally
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Has remained alone without its mother for an extended period
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Is found beside a deceased adult skunk
Do not attempt to feed, give water, or provide medical treatment.
Text photos or video to 980-389-1133 so our wildlife hotline team can help determine the next step.
Baby skunks require specialized care, including fluids and medical support. Delays can be fatal. Contact us immediately and our hotline team will walk you through what to do from here.
I Found an Injured or Sick Skunk
Because skunks are a rabies-vector species, do not immediately attempt to contain an injured skunk.
First:
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Keep people and pets away.
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Observe from a safe distance.
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Take a clear photo or short video if possible.
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Note the exact location.
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Contact CWCC at 980-389-1133.
Our team will help determine the safest next step.
An obvious injury does not always rule out illness or disease, so professional assessment is important before handling.
Signs of injury include:
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Blood or open wounds
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A visibly broken limb
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Dragging a leg
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Difficulty standing
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Being struck by a vehicle
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Predator wounds
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Flies gathering around the animal
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Severe weakness or inability to move
Do not touch the skunk with bare hands and do not attempt to treat wounds yourself.
Skunks can be affected by illnesses that cause neurological symptoms, including rabies and canine distemper virus.
It is impossible to diagnose either disease simply by looking at an animal, which is why abnormal behavior should always be treated cautiously.
Possible signs of neurological disease can include:
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Stumbling or an uncoordinated walk
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Falling repeatedly
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Circling
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Seizures or jerky movements
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Unusual lack of fear
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Failure to respond normally to sights or sounds
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Severe lethargy
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Eye or nasal discharge
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Excessive salivation
If you see these behaviors:
Do not approach the skunk. Keep people and pets away and contact Animal Control or CWCC for guidance.
A skunk being outside during the daytime by itself is not evidence of rabies.
Contact us immediately and our hotline team will walk you through what to do from here.
Humane Skunk Eviction
If the skunks cannot safely remain where they are, the goal should be to encourage the mother to move her babies herselfrather than separating the family.
First, Make the Area Less Appealing
You can encourage a skunk to choose another location by reducing the things attracting it to your property.
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Bring pet food and water bowls indoors
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Secure garbage cans
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Clean up spilled bird seed
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Remove accessible food scraps
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Address lawn grub problems if skunks are repeatedly digging for them
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Block access to unused spaces only after confirming they are empty
Motion-activated sprinklers may also discourage skunks from repeatedly using a particular area.
Give the Mother Time to Relocate
If a mother is actively raising babies beneath a structure, avoid blocking the entrance.
Once she has moved the babies and you are certain no animals remain inside, permanently repair the opening so another animal cannot use the space.
Never trap a mother away from dependent babies or seal babies inside a den.
Can I Trap and Relocate a Skunk?
No. Skunks cannot legally be relocated in North Carolina.
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission recommends first removing attractants and using nonlethal methods to discourage skunks. If you have a wildlife conflict that cannot be resolved through exclusion or deterrence, contact a licensed Wildlife Control Agent for assistance. Do not attempt to trap and move a skunk to another property, park, or natural area.
Skunks Digging in the Yard
Small holes in lawns are often evidence of normal skunk foraging. Skunks eat a variety of foods including insects, worms, grubs, small rodents, fruits, and other natural foods. Their digging can actually help control some yard pests.
If digging becomes excessive:
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Check the lawn for a grub infestation
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Remove outdoor pet food
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Secure garbage and compost
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Clean up other accessible food sources
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Consider a motion-activated sprinkler
A skunk simply passing through or digging for food generally does not need to be trapped or removed.
Can Baby Skunks Spray?
Yes! Baby skunks develop the ability to produce musk at a surprisingly young age. That does not mean every baby will spray when approached, but even small kits should be treated with caution.
Skunks generally prefer to avoid spraying because producing their defensive musk takes energy and time to replenish. They usually give warning signals before spraying.
Watch for These Warning Signs
A frightened skunk may:
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Raise its tail
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Stomp its front feet
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Arch its back
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Turn its hindquarters toward the threat
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Make short charging or retreating movements
If a skunk raises its tail or begins stomping, stop moving and slowly give it more space.
Never chase, corner, or intentionally frighten a skunk.