Natural Diet and Nutritional Needs of New Jersey Skunk

Newark skunks are opportunistic eaters and will be eating most of the food that will provide them with their nutritional needs. When in wild, the skunks will be scavenging for food. Their diet can also vary depending on the available foods in the wild. They also need to have an access to clean water. While they will not need to drink too much water since they receive the water from the foods they eat, it is still included in their natural diet.



Nutritional Needs of the Newark Skunk
Since skunks are omnivores, they can eat both animals and plant matters. Their diet is also flexible and can change depending on the season and the availability of the food. Knowing what attracts these creatures can help you minimize the visit from this unwanted guest.

Protein
The skunks will need a high amount of protein. They will usually get it from the insects that they eat. Protein will comprise at least 70% of their diet. They can sometimes raid our chicken coop to steal eggs or kill chickens. They can eat the eggs together with its egg shell. They particularly love the taste of the bone marrow. Some of the insects that they will eat include grubs, superworms, mealworms, and crickets. They can also eat little mice. Some plant-based sustenance can also be a source of protein such as pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, and raw nuts.

Vegetables and Fruits
The remaining percentage of their natural diet is composed of fruits and vegetables. If your garden has cauliflower, broccoli, zucchini, yellow squash, bell pepper, snap peas, green beans, egg plants, carrots, turnips, radish, tomatoes, cucumber, and beets, expect that you can attract the attention of the skunks. However, not all vegetables will be part of their diet since there are vegetables that can be harmful to them. Asparagus can sometime cause seizures to the skunks and onion can lead to anemia. The content of grapes can be toxic among skunks. They love the taste of berries. They also eat melon, bananas, apples, and pears.

Fats
The skunks also need a good dose of fats in order to maintain their beautiful coat and good skin. Some of the foods that contain high amount of fat include coconut oil, soybean oil, poultry supply, seeds, and nuts. In order to maintain their optimal health, their calorie intake should include 30% of fats.

Minerals and Vitamins
Skunk also need a balanced supply of minerals and vitamins. For the desacked and domesticated skunk, the veterinarian can provide them with supplements. However, for the skunks in the wild, they can receive their calcium needs from the bones of the chickens and mice. For the Vitamin D, fish and eggs are good sources.

Now that you know about the foods that can attract their attention, be sure that you will remove their access from these foods. You should also control the population of insects in your property since this comprised the larger part of their natural diet.

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