Are skunks native to sc?

Question

I have live here 5 yeasr and have never seen or smelled a skunk so it got me thinking if they are even in this state lol

Answer 1

yes. The are indigenous to SC. You will know one when you smell it as it has a strong sulfer smell. Often times you may smell them near a highway long before you will see them as they have a propensity for meeting cars. The are primarily nocturnal animals so that is why you seldom actually see one. Be careful ; however, if you do see one during the day or one that appears to be "tame" as they are large carriers of rabies. Do not approach. Some folks have found them as youngsters and have had a vet to descent them and or nueter them for pets. Even descented they still retain a musky smell somewhat like a ferret can but stronger. Last check it is illegal to do this and to own one.

Answer 2

"The striped skunk is only found in North America. Its range runs from central Canada to northern Mexico. "

http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/stripedskunk.htm

And, depending on where you are, you may even have the Eastern Spotted Skunk!

"The eastern spotted skunk’s range extends from southern Pennsylvania, down the Appalachian Mountain range and into Florida, with a portion of the eastern edge of its range encompassing the western portion of South Carolina. Unlike the striped skunk, which has a more uniform distribution within its geographic range, the spotted skunk is typically more localized in its distribution."

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/cwcs/pdf/spottedskunk.pdf