Police offer guidance on skunks

Skunks are a normal part of the Southern California environment, including in coastal communities like Seal Beach. While their odor can be unpleasant and their presence may surprise residents, routine skunk activity is generally not a law enforcement or animal control issue and is not typically handled by Seal Beach Police Department Animal Control.

According to Ted Stankowich, a biological sciences professor at California State University, Long Beach, and a wildlife expert, skunks are generally nocturnal, omnivorous animals that come out around dusk or early evening to search for food.

They are not normally aggressive and are often attracted to easy food sources such as insects, fruit, eggs, pet food, trash, and other items commonly found around homes and yards.

This time of year may also bring more noticeable skunk activity due to baby skunk season. In warmer climates like Southern California, skunks may mate earlier in the year, with young skunks, called kits, beginning to emerge and explore with their families in late spring and early summer. Mother skunks may be more defensive when protecting their young, so residents should give skunks space and avoid trying to scare, chase, feed, trap or handle them.

—Seal Beach Police Department