Skunks do not hibernate, although they may remain dormant underground all winter. Their body temperature remains near normal. Several skunks may share the same winter den. The great horned owl, which lacks a well-developed sense of smell and apparently is not bothered by the skunk's musk, is a predator. Dogs, foxes, coyotes and bobcats take an occasional skunk, but the skunk's potent musk warns off most predators.
Skunks are host to fleas, lice, mites, ticks and various internal parasites.
Population Striped skunks live throughout Pennsylvania. Wildlife researchers have estimated an average of one skunk per 10 acres of prime habitat and 13.5 skunks per square mile of agricultural land. Mephitis mephitis has proven highly adaptable. Along with the woodchuck, raccoon, Canada goose, mourning dove, several species of blackbirds and other wildlife, the skunk prospers wherever humans clear land for farming and remove or drive out larger predators. Some farmers welcome their presence, realizing that these small predators eat many pest insects and rodents.