Ever watch a skunk waddle through your yard and wonder, “What is that little guy looking for?” While they’re famous for their potent spray, skunks are mostly just focused on finding their next meal. Their diet is surprisingly varied, and understanding what they eat can explain why you might see them snooping around your property.
Skunks are not picky eaters—no surprise there. As omnivores, they enjoy a mix of plant and animal matter, much like people. Their diet changes with the seasons, depending on what’s available. Think of them as the ultimate opportunists of the animal kingdom—if it’s easy to find and edible, a skunk will probably eat it. The next time you see one skunkin’ around your yard, they might be after one of these favorite food sources.
What Do Skunks Eat?
Skunks have a diverse menu that helps them thrive in various environments. They love to dig, using their long front claws to unearth tasty treats hidden just below the surface.
Insects and Grubs
Insects are a skunk’s favorite dish, especially during the warmer months. They’ll chow down on grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, and caterpillars. They are particularly fond of grubs, which are the larvae of Japanese beetles and other insects. If you see small, cone-shaped holes dug in your lawn, you might have a skunk to thank for the free pest control.
Small Animals
While insects are their go-to, skunks also hunt small animals when the opportunity arises. Their prey includes:
- Mice
- Voles
- Shrews
- Young rabbits
- Small birds and their eggs
They’re also known to eat lizards, frogs, and even snakes. Their diet makes them a key part of the local ecosystem, helping to control rodent populations.
Plants and Fungi
Skunks turn to plants when animal-based foods are scarce. They’ll happily eat berries, nuts, roots, and fungi.
During the fall, they load up on these foods to build fat reserves for the winter. The biology and behavior of the striped skunk reveals how this flexible diet helps them survive when the weather gets cold.
Your Yard as a Skunk Buffet
Skunks are often drawn to suburban areas because our yards are an all-you-can-eat buffet. Open trash cans, pet food left outside, and fallen fruit from trees are all invitations for a skunk to visit. They also love gardens, where they can find ripe vegetables and plenty of juicy insects.
While skunks are fascinating, most people prefer to admire them from a distance—a safe one. To keep them from treating your yard like their personal restaurant, secure your garbage can lids, bring pet food inside at night, and pick up any fallen fruit.
By removing these easy food sources, you encourage them to find their meals elsewhere. If you see one of these creatures just skunkin’ around your yard, take it as a sign that they’ve found a favorite food source somewhere near.
