Hey folks, it’s your boy back again with another crazy adventure from my backyard. Today’s episode is all about figuring out if I’ve got a baby fox or a skunk on my hands. I mean, these little critters can look pretty similar when they’re young, right?
It all started a few weeks back when I noticed some movement in the bushes late one evening. At first, I thought it was just my old cat, Tom, causing trouble as usual. But then I saw it, a tiny, fluffy thing scurrying around. It looked cute, but I thought to myself, “What is this thing? A baby fox or a skunk? I gotta know!”
So, I grabbed my flashlight and went on a little investigation. I tried to get a closer look, but it was super dark, and this little guy was fast. I did see that it had fur, though, which was a good start. I read somewhere that baby skunks are born without fur, all pink and blind, so I was leaning towards a fox at that point.
The next day, I decided to set up a little observation post. I placed a few lawn chairs near the bushes and waited. It took a while, but my patience paid off. Around dusk, the little critter emerged again. I noticed its size – it was about 8-9 inches long, I’d guess. That fit the description of a young skunk, which I found out are around that size when they start exploring outside their dens.
- I also tried to see if I could tell its gender.
- From what I’ve read, male foxes (dogs) are usually a bit heavier than females (vixens) and have broader heads.
- But honestly, they looked pretty much the same to me at this age.
- I read that the only sure way to tell a skunk’s gender is by checking its, well, private parts, but that’s not something I’m gonna do!
I watched it for a few more days. This little guy was super curious, always sniffing around, exploring every nook and cranny, just like a human toddler, I read. It was adorable, but I still wasn’t 100% sure if it was a fox or a skunk. Foxes are supposed to come out of their dens earlier, at about four weeks old, while skunks wait until they’re 6 to 8 weeks old. This one seemed a bit older, so skunk was looking more likely.
The Big Reveal
Then came the moment of truth. One evening, I saw it again, but this time it wasn’t alone. There was another one, and then another! A whole family! And guess what? They all had that distinctive black and white fur. Yep, it was a family of skunks. Mystery solved!
It was a fun little adventure, and I learned a lot about baby foxes and skunks. They might look similar at first, but if you watch them closely, you’ll see the differences. And remember, skunks are born without fur, so if you see a furry little critter, it’s probably not a newborn skunk.
Anyway, that’s my story for today. Hope you enjoyed it. Stay tuned for more wildlife adventures from my backyard!
