TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) -
Baby skunks become more mobile this time of year, and they're being spotted throughout the city and rural areas.
The Tucson Wildlife Center is currently caring for eight skunks, most of them juveniles.
A spokesperson says this is the season where babies start venturing out further away from their mothers, and because the youth are not yet aware of their nocturnal nature, they can be seen day and night.
Baby skunks have the ability to spray, but most do not know how to spray. People should, however, be concerned about the potential for skunk bites because skunks can have rabies.
Most people will not knowingly get close to a skunk, but they can hide in dark places and attack if they feel threatened.
"People are doing more spring cleaning, they're cutting back on their brush, and mowing their yards because the grass is growing, that usually brings them out of their hiding places," says LouRae Whitehead with the Tucson Wildlife Center.
Experts say skunk bites to humans are fairly uncommon, and staff members at local emergency pet clinics say they haven't seen any dogs or cats bitten or sprayed.
"We acclimate them in a pen for about a week and then we let them go," says Whitehead. "We have different places that we take them to keep the diversity."
To keep skunks away from your property, get rid of water such as ponds or fountains, remove pet food, and keep gardening and fruit trees at a minimum.
Stay tuned to KOLD News 13 Live at 4, 5 and 6 for more details.
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The Tucson Wildlife Center is currently caring for eight skunks, most of them juveniles.
