Striped Skunk Sounds

What sound does a striped skunk make?

Striped skunks are quiet animals — they let their famous smell do the talking! But they do hiss, growl, squeal, and churr softly. Baby skunks (kits) are the chattiest, squeaking and churring in the den.

The sound to really pay attention to is stomping: before spraying, a skunk warns you by stamping its front feet, hissing, and raising its tail. Some skunks even do a full handstand as a final warning. If you hear the stomps — back away fast!

About the Striped Skunk

Striped skunks are small mammals native to North America, known for their distinctive black and white coloration and their ability to spray a strong-smelling liquid as a defense mechanism. These nocturnal animals are omnivores, eating a varied diet of insects, small mammals, fruits, and plants. Skunks have poor eyesight but an excellent sense of smell. They are generally docile and will usually warn potential threats with foot stamping and tail raising before resorting to spraying. Skunks play an important role in ecosystems by controlling insect populations and dispersing seeds. Despite their infamous spray, skunks are beneficial to farmers for pest control and are sometimes kept as exotic pets. However, they can be carriers of rabies, so caution is advised in areas where skunks are common.

Striped Skunk questions

What sound does a skunk make?

Skunks hiss, growl, squeal, and churr quietly — and stomp their front feet loudly as a warning right before they spray.

How far can a skunk spray?

A skunk can spray accurately up to about 3 metres, and the smell can be detected over a kilometre away. Luckily, they always warn first!