Skunks are nocturnal creatures who usually forage at night. A female Roswell skunk gives birth to about 4 – 7 babies. If you see a pup wandering on its own it might just be exploring. Make sure to keep an eye on it to see if the mom comes looking for it. You should not remove the baby until you have determined it is actually orphaned.



How old is it?
Baby Georgia skunks live with their mom and siblings until they are about 8 months old. After this, they will go off on their own. If your orphaned skunk is older than 8 months it might just be looking for a place to nest. If it appears to be able to live on its own, the best bet might be to leave it alone. The babies also start exploring their surroundings once they are able to see and move around.

What has happened to its mom?
• It is possible that the mom might be dead. Roswell skunks have very bad eyesight, and they are often hit by cars in urban areas. Even in rural areas, they are killed by people if they make a pest of themselves.
• She could be trapped. It is possible that the mother might have been trapped and will be relocated. If she has been relocated too far away she will be unable to find her way back.

Can it spray you?
Baby Georgia skunks are unable to spray. They may, however, leak the foul-smelling liquid if scared. Depending on how old the skunk is, you may be in danger of getting sprayed. Skunks generally start spraying when they are about 3 months old. Watch out for the signs, just in case.

Does it have rabies?
Make sure that the Roswell pup looks healthy before trying to catch it. Even if it seems healthy, it could bite you and you can become ill. Wear protective gloves just in case. If the skunk looks ill, phone a wildlife center. They will come and remove the skunk and nurse it back to health.

Who to contact
There are wildlife rehabilitation centers in every state. An internet search will give you a list of centers that are close to you. Do not take the skunk to the vet. They will not be able to help you. It is a wild animal and will have to be treated as such.

Visit our Roswell wildlife removal home page to learn more about us.