They also frequently live in underground dens in fencerows near pasture or hay crops. Skunks are nocturnal, active from dusk to dawn, sleeping during the day in their dens. They will move from one den to another, reacting to availability of food and perceived level of safety. Spotted skunks are quite playful with each other, even as adults. They often live communally, with six to eight individuals to a den.
Skunks have many small pads on the soles of their feet.
It is thought that these pads may explain the spotted skunks' tree-climbing ability. Skunks are opportunistic foragers, mainly subsisting on insects and rodents, but happy to find eggs, baby birds, and various fruits and vegetables. Toads and some caterpillars are rolled on the ground before consuming to remove skin toxins or spines. Skunks have been seen to open eggs in a mongoose-like fashion. They pass the egg under the body from front to hind feet, and then propel the egg, with a kick of the hind legs, against a hard surface.