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For most of the year the normal home range for skunks is 0.5 to 2 miles (1 to 3 km) in diameter, with males expanding during breeding season to travel 4 to 5 miles (6 to 8 km) per night. [8] Skunks are not true hibernators in the winter, but do den up for extended periods of time.
These baby skunks are called kits. [5] At birth, the young are blind and almost hairless, weighing around 11 g (0.39 oz). [16] At around 4 or 5 months of age, young females become sexually mature and the cycle starts again. [5] Western spotted skunks have lived for almost ten years in captivity. [17]
Eastern spotted skunks usually breed in March or April and give birth in late May or early June. [9] On average the female skunk gives birth to 4–5 baby skunks (kits) at a time. It takes twelve weeks before newborn skunks will become fully developed into adult skunks and two months before they develop skunk musk to use as self-defense.
Western spotted skunks have wider white stripes on their backs and a white-tipped tail. They are small, weighing only 14 ounces to 2 pounds. When they feel threatened, they don't hide.
According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, skunks and coyotes are more active during the spring as they search for mates. They also may venture out of their typical ranges to do so.
The newborn skunks are covered with fine hair that shows the adult color pattern. The eyes open between 30 and 32 days. [12] The kits start solid food at about 42 days and are weaned at about two months. [8] They are full grown and reach adult size at about four months. The males do not help in raising the young.
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Channel Island skunks have similar mating behaviors to mainland skunks and exhibit the same delayed implantation. Mating occurs throughout the months of September and October, followed by delayed implantation, and a 210- to 310-day gestation period. [6] They typically give birth during the months of April and May to anywhere from 2 to 6 young. [3]