If it seems that the presence of skunks has been greater of late, it is probably because the critters are a bit lovelorn.
This time of late winter is the courting and mating season for striped skunks, Mephitis mephitis, the native species hereabouts. The related activities result in more skunk sightings, more skunks getting hit on highways, and more skunks creating the stink for which they are infamous.
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