Can Skunks Climb? How High Skunks Can Climb? 2022 Guide

Have you ever wondered ‘Can skunks climb?’ and Can skunks Jump? A skunk is a wild animal and is known for its pungent smell. What if you live in a forest area and see a skunk visiting your yard? You might get worried that he can come inside the house. Hence, first of all, let us understand can skunks climb?

The answer to this question is yes, Skunks can climb. But the ability and skill of climbing depending on the species. Spotted skunks are great climbers and striped skunks are poor climbers. If you want to know more about this topic, just continue reading the article. 

This article will make you understand some important things about skunks and their climbing skills. 

Can and Do skunks climb?

Urban areas have more spotted skunks or striped skunks. The striped skunks do not have the ability to climb like even racC00Ns and squirrels. They find it hard to search for shelter in chimneys and attics. 

Instead, their bodies are made of collecting bugs and digging, with tails that are not suited for climbing and balancing.  They use their powerful and short legs along with sharp claws to dig the ground for searching food. Striped skunks live in open spaces where they don’t need to climb anywhere. 

Talking about spotted skunks, they are lighter and smaller than striped skunks. They have stronger claws that make them climb to find shelter on chimneys and attics. They can also climb trash cans like racC00Ns and squirrels. 

Skunks and their behaviour

Skunks are also known as polecats. Their long nails help them dig or climb. Skunks eat animals, as well as plants. Farmers also consider them a helping hand as they eat larvae, fungi, and insects.

Some of the animals that skunks eat include

• Rats
• Earthworms
• Lizard
• Grubs
• Frogs
• Salamanders
• Moles
• Snakes
• Bees
• Birds

Skunks scratch hornets’ nests and beehives to make them come out. The thick fur protects them from the stings of insects like hornets. You can also find skunks eating dead animals. Likewise, they can eat rotten food from the trash can. 

Skunks also love

• Roots
• Corn
• Grapes
• Cherries
• Nuts
• Fungi 
• Leaves

Skunks have sensitive ears and are near-sighted. They cannot see beyond 10 feet. They usually hunt during the night. Their black fur also supports them while hunting. 

Basically, there are 4 types of skunks

1. Spotted skunks

Spotted skunks can easily climb trees. They have small and broken stripes on the back.

2. Striped skunk

Striped skunks are commonly seen in Virginia. They have rounded ears, furry tails, black eyes, and white stripes. 

3. Hooded skunks

Hooded skunks are the fluffiest, have bushier fur and a longer tail. They are commonly seen in the southwestern parts of Mexico and the US. They love to eat fruits and vegetables more than insects. 

4. Hog-nosed skunks

Hog-nosed skunks are the largest among all. They are native to America. These skunks are good diggers.

Do skunks climb fences?

Skunks can climb fences when they need to. They can easily enter your yard and can hunt smaller animals at night. If they are not able to dig or climb the fence, they might try to climb the tree, and then the fence. That is why it is important for you to know how far skunks can go. 

You may think that installing fences is enough to stop skunks from climbing and digging. Just make sure you install the fence high and under the ground enough that skunks can’t come inside anyway.

Although skunks are good climbers, they cannot climb high fences. Also, you must trim the nearby tree branches to protect your house.

Can a skunk climb a 6-foot fence?

Skunks can climb a 6-foot fence. Especially the spotted skunks. They are the best fence climbers. Fences that are made of wood, chain link, or wire mesh are easier for skunks to climb than smooth surfaces. 

If skunks really need to make the effort, maximum they can climb over a fence that is up to six feet high. But most skunks won’t even attempt to climb a fence if it’s far higher than 18 inches.

This is because climbing includes a lot of work for most skunks!

Skunks don’t jump so they need to use their claws and snout to climb the fence. This does not work if the fence is crafted from an easy material, like concrete pavers or metallic fence panels.

If there’s an object resting in opposition to your fence or very near to your fence, then a skunk may climb up that object to get over the fence.

The spotted skunk may even climb into a nearby tree and pass through your fence by strolling alongside any tree branch that reaches over your fence.

Can a skunk climb a brick wall?

Skunks can climb brick walls but not more than 6 feet. However, only some skunk species are great climbers. 

Spotted skunks have light, flexible, and small bodies. Also, the claws have great climbing capabilities. They are potential thieves because they can easily climb attics, garbage cans, fences, and chimneys.

The striped skunks have strong and short legs and tough claws. They can dig the dirt well. Striped skunks live in pastures, fields, and open spaces where they don’t need to climb anything.

Can a skunk climb onto tables?

Not all skunks can climb. As we have already mentioned, spotted skunks can climb trees, fences, etc. Similarly, they can easily climb onto tables. They have long nails and sharp teeth that help them climb any rough surface. 

Can skunks climb into attics?

Okay, so skunks can climb but they are not that good at climbing. Indeed they can climb into attics but it is very difficult for them to do so. Skunks are capable of climbing up to the roof. If you are unlucky enough for a skunk to climb into the attic then you will have to clean everything.

They got this climbing habit from trees. As we are mixing up in the forests, there’s a chance that a skunk will climb up your fence. Hence, it is better to build a heightened fence to mitigate the problems created by skunks.

Do skunks jump or climb?

Skunks do climb but it totally depends on their species. They have strong legs, big nails, and sharp teeth that help them climb a tree, fence, or in some cases attics. 

They do not need to jump to find food or to escape predators. Hence, they have not developed the jumping ability. On the contrary, you may see a skunk jumping upto a height of 3 feet.

How far can skunks spray?

When skunks are in trouble, they use the spray as their defense mechanism. However, in most cases, they prefer to run away from the situation. 

The back passage opening has two glands on either side. These glands secrete oily and yellowish material that contains n-butyl mercaptan and skunk musk. They can emit spray upto a distance of 15 feet. Also, have enough supply for five discharges. 

How high can skunks jump?

Skunks have powerful legs. Hence, they are excellent jumpers. But, they usually do not get a chance to jump. Therefore, many of them are unaware of this ability. 

Skunks can jump upto 3 feet or more. This depends on the area they try to cross. This states that skunks can easily jump on a deck, shield, or any structure. 

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Final thoughts

In conclusion, I would say that spotted skunks can really climb well. On the contrary striped skunks are very good diggers. If you want to save your place from skunks then I would suggest-

1. Build a fence of a good height
2. Make sure the fence is digged enough that striped skunks can’t dig the ground and enter inside.
3. Try a smooth material for the fence, so that they find it difficult to climb.

I hope you enjoyed the article. Stay connected and we will never disappoint you. Thank you.