During the cold winter months, skunks may remain inactive in their dens for periods of days or weeks. They do not actually hibernate, but do rely on stored body fat to sustain them through the winter. Several skunks may share the same den during winter, thereby conserving body heat. There are usually 4 to 6 per litter. Young skunks are weaned when they are about 2 months old, and usually leave the female to find their own homes during autumn.
Male skunks travel more than females.
It is during this time when skunks, which are slow-moving and reluctant to flee when endangered, are often struck by cars. Skunks feed on both plant and animal materials, but prefer insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, cutworms and various other insect larvae. They dig and root in the soil and usually leave small holes in the ground where they have fed. They also eat mice, rats, shrews, moles, ground squirrels and other small mammals. Birds and their eggs are eaten only occasionally.