They prefer dens on sunny slopes. In populated areas, burrows are sometimes hidden under buildings, wood piles or stone walls. A den usually has several well concealed openings. Although skunks are not true hibernators, they do go into a deep sleep in late fall or early winter only awakening during winter thaws or periods of warmer weather. During this period they may become active and leave the den in search of food.
Males are more active than females during winter thaws.
Though they are not social animals, as many as ten or more skunks may den together in the winter. Skunks leave their dens in late February and early March to breed. After mating, males become solitary until autumn. Young are born blind and helpless, nurse for the first two months and may remain with the female through the first winter. Young are capable of expelling musk by the time they are seven weeks old.