Connie McKinney
Feb 09, 2009
SOURCE: Binghamton Press & Sun-bulletin
As the mercury rises, more skunks are waking up from their winter nap and prowling around the Southern Tier in search of food and mates.
Temperatures could reach 47 degrees today and 53 degrees by Wednesday because of a warm front from the Southwest, said Theodore Champney, a National Weather Service meteorologist based at the Greater Binghamton Airport. That's well above the normal February high of around 30 degrees.
Warm air has roused some skunks from their "winter sleep" which usually lasts through mid to late March, said Michael Janis, executive director of the Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park. Skunks don't go into true hibernation but can sleep for up to four months.
Flower, the zoo's resident skunk, lives in a temperature-controlled exhibit and stays awake, Janis said. She is de-scented and loves to visit children during educational programs.
With Valentine's Day approaching on Saturday, some males are getting up early to find a mate, Janis said.
"They're looking for love," he said.
They're also looking for food which is hard to find this time of year because the ground is frozen, he said. Skunks like to chow down on worms and grubs but will settle for garbage and dog or cat food left out on back porches.
"Everybody's hustling for every bite they can get right now," Janis said.
By Thursday, the mercury will begin dropping into the 20s, Champney said. That may be cold enough to send the skunks back to bed.
If you see a skunk, don't raise a stink about it, Janis said.
"The main goal in a skunk's life is not to spray," he said. "They would rather waddle around, find food and not disturb anybody."
