ROANOKE, Va. – The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center received its first-ever eastern spotted skunk this week!
It was found stuck in a dryer exhaust vent, and was slightly dehydrated, but the animal was still in good health. The center is expecting to release the skunk out into the wild sometime on Friday.
Eastern spotted skunks are relatively rare, and are listed as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List. They used to be more common, but their population has decreased in the last 80 years for various reasons. The center stated that only 6 sightings have been reported in Minnesota in the last 20 years!
While rare, these skunks still have a relatively large area they can inhabit. They can be found in the Northern United States in areas like Minnesota, different parts of Appalachia, and even in Eastern Texas, according to the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.
While the skunks are rarely found by people because of their reclusive nature and declining numbers, the unique white stripes found on their backs make it hard to miss one if found in the wild.