I've Found A Baby Skunk

Is the baby really orphaned?  First, determine if they are truly orphans.  It helps if you find a lactating female road-kill nearby which is a good indication that they are orphaned.  To make sure the mother is not just nearby, observe for a day or so to see if she appears with her young.  (This can only be done if the babies appear to be healthy.)  Keep a head count.  If baby skunks are seen alone during April and May (or earlier) there is a good chance they are orphaned, since mother and babies are inseparable during this period.  Also if these babies are observed to be weak, thin and sickly, immediate care needs to be administered.  It is important to take every precaution to keep families together, and to not trap or relocate from March to October so as not to separate mothers from their young.

When are baby skunks most likely to be found?

Hungry scared babies will come out at night, but rarely will find food or people to help, plus nocturnal predators scare or kill them.  Therefore, you will normally see them during the day in desperate search of food and help.  (A skunk that is seen during the day is often misinterpreted as a sign that it might have rabies.)  Usually they are between four to eight weeks of age when found.  If you have determined that you have found orphan skunks, you will want to confine it in some way so it can't escape while you contact your local wildlife rehabilitator.  [See Skunk Counselors]

How do I catch a baby skunk without getting sprayed?  If you feel you must handle a baby skunk, make sure you are wearing gloves and that you move very slowly, quietly, and in a non-threatening manner so as not to get sprayed.  You can either lift by the base of the tail (aiming the butt away from you) and place in a pet carrier, or if it is a very tiny baby, simply just lift it up.  In some cases you can carefully lower a towel over the baby and scoop it up, then place in the container.

What can I do for this baby until it gets to a wildlife rehabber?

Keep the baby warm on a heating pad on LOW covered with one towel layer.  Make sure the baby can get off the heat when it chooses to.

Don't try to bottle feed or give solids foods.  If you don't know the condition of the baby, or have training in this field, you could actually do more harm than good.  Just make as many phone calls as you can to get this baby in the right hands.

Keep your pets away and do not handle the skunk.