Hi there! I’m Pepe (not that one), a well-groomed, polite, and moderately fragrant Eastern Spotted Skunk (Spilogale putorius) looking for a new place to crash in the Sunshine State.
WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR:
- Quiet, shaded neighborhood or natural area with dense shrubs and loose soil
- Low traffic area (I’ve had one too many close calls…)
- Must allow bugs inside (especially grasshoppers and beetles). They’re snacks, not pests.
- Prefer NO bobcats, great horned owls, or dogs named “Killer”
- Nocturnal-friendly environment. I nap hard during the day.
WHAT I OFFER:
- Top-tier pest control (I eat insects, rodents, fallen fruit, and occasionally leftover pet food)
- Nighttime security patrols (no extra charge)
- Adorable face, fluffy tail, and a great personality
- I only spray when absolutely necessary (ask my references!)
- Bonus skill: can do a handstand while spraying – it’s as majestic as it sounds.
NOT INTERESTED IN:
- Traps
- Bulldozers
- Lawn mowers
Will happily den in brush piles, burrows, hollow logs, or tall grasses. No lease required—just a little space and mutual respect. If you’re a kind human with a soft spot for misunderstood wildlife and a patch of land to spare, let’s chat! Help a skunk out and be part of local conservation at the same time.
Contact via gentle rustling in the bushes or leave snacks by the bird feeder. Smell ya later!
– Pepe the Spotted Skunk
When you think of skunks, you probably imagine the classic black-and-white critter with two stripes and a bad reputation – the Striped Skunk (left, Mephitis mephitis). You may also think of the classic-yet-criticized Loony Toons character, Pepé le Pew. However, Florida is home to a lesser-known skunk species: the eastern spotted skunk (right, Spilogale putorius). This native omnivore is smaller, scrappier, and flashier — think of it as the acrobat of the skunk world, capable of doing a handstand when it feels threatened. Seriously.
A skunk’s first resort when confronted by a potential predator is to flee. However, if cornered, they may act aggressively or try to appear larger—striped skunks stomp and arch their backs, while eastern spotted skunks perform their trademark handstands. As a last resort, both species spray a strong-smelling, oily musk from glands near the anus, accurately hitting targets up to 15 feet away to deter attackers and escape.
In Florida, the eastern spotted skunk is considered a Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), a designation given by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to wildlife species that are imperiled or at risk of becoming imperiled in the future. Recently at Big Waters Land Trust, our trail cameras captured the first-ever photos of a spotted skunk at one of our preserves! This is exciting news, as one of the greatest threats to spotted skunks – and all wildlife- is habitat loss. Saving land that protects imperiled species is one of the priority conservation values in our 2030 Conservation Plan. It is great to know that our efforts are working! Read on to learn more about the adorable eastern spotted skunk and how you can help them.
Life in the Shadows
Spotted skunks are mostly nocturnal and highly secretive, which is why they are rarely seen in the wild. These little cuties are not picky eaters, and spend most of their time searching for insects, small mammals, mushrooms, leaves, crustaceans, small reptiles, amphibians, and even fruit. They’re also excellent climbers, unliked their striped skunk cousins, which helps them escape predators and find food.
What’s Threatening the Spotted Skunk?
Despite their acrobatics and adaptability, spotted skunks are in trouble. Their populations have been declining across the Southeast, and Florida is no exception. Why? Habitat loss is a big reason. Development and urban sprawl are chewing up the dense brush, open scrub, pine flatwoods, and forest edges these animals depend on. Pesticide use may also be reducing their insect and rodent prey, and road mortality is a growing issue as more wildlife gets squeezed into smaller spaces. Spotted skunks are also vulnerable to predation and competition from domestic animals and other wildlife, particularly in disturbed or fragmented habitats.
Why Land Conservation Matters
Conserving natural land in Florida isn’t just about preserving beautiful scenery, improving water quality, and protecting the rural character of our communities – it’s about protecting ecosystems that countless species call home. For the spotted skunk, this means keeping intact the scrub, pinewoods, and rural landscapes where they live, hunt, and raise their young. Land conservation also supports other native species like gopher tortoises, indigo snakes, and Florida scrub-jays, which share similar habitats and are also declining due to habitat loss.
Public and private land conservation efforts—like creating wildlife corridors, protecting rural agricultural lands, and supporting sustainable land use—are key to giving Florida’s wildlife a fighting chance.
What Floridians Can Do
- Protect natural habitats on your property and support land conservation efforts in your community. Donate to Big Waters Land Trust, get involved at one of our volunteer events or education programs, and advocate for smart land use policies.
- Drive carefully in rural and wooded areas—skunks are nocturnal and often on the move at night.
- Avoid using poisons and pesticides that can harm skunks and their food sources.
- Secure trash and pet food to avoid attracting skunks to areas where they might get into trouble.
Skunks might not win any popularity contests, but they’re fascinating, valuable members of Florida’s wild family. With a little effort and awareness, we can help keep both the striped and spotted skunks around for generations to come. Protecting Florida’s wild places is the best way to ensure these unique animals, and the countless others that share their habitat, continue to thrive.
