Camp Creature: Striped Skunk

"You won't believe what happened to me last night. I was out on one of my nightly walks around camp when my life flashed before my eyes. Well, that might be dramatic, but I did almost step right on a doe feeding on grubs near the Gaga Pit. I know you're thinking, 'What!? Deer eat grubs?!' But I'm not talking about deer. I'm talking about skunks. Did you know skunks are also referred to as buck and doe? Anyway, I look down and see a set of eyes peering up at me, I whip out my flashlight, catch a glimpse of black and white, and I bolted out of there at a dead sprint. I didn't stop until I reached the top of the Marina. Again, a little dramatic, but I had to know I was safely out of reach of that putrid spray."

A few summers ago, those are the words Alli shared with us one morning that started our little love affair with a really interesting camp creature: the striped skunk. As a team, we didn't know all that much about skunks beyond the fact they are capable of shooting out a disgusting musk, which was something we did not want to experience!

But what was bringing these little guys into camp?

Grubs. It was a summer with a high grub population, which allowed for a boom in skunk reproduction and activity. As a nocturnal creature, skunks would wander into camp at night to dig for grubs in the soil. Thus leading to Alli's encounter with her new skunk friend. These encounters happened multiple times throughout late summer and into the fall, but the skunks never felt threatened enough to spray, allowing us to make it out of the summer unscathed. Thankfully, this skunk population has moved on and our skunk sightings have been infrequent as of late.

Skunks maybe aren't the most desired visitor, but they sure are an interesting critter to learn about, especially when it became clear they weren't here to maliciously spray their rancid musk. For more information on skunks, check out this Minnesota DNR: Striped Skunk info page!

I've also heard skunks can make good pets... If you have more info on this, I'd love to hear all about it!
 

CAMP CREATURE - The Minnesota Red Fox

The Minnesota Red Fox

Ever wonder what kind of animals roam around Camp Foley?  One of the most popular among those who frequent camp is the Minnesota Red Fox.  Several Camp Foley staffers have spotted foxes here on the grounds; most recently, near the boys’ cabins.  The foxes are particularly popular with our camp office "mascots" (dogs) Norm and Nike, who seem very interested in being let out to chase them!

While the “Red” Fox can actually be black or silver-black in color, most have a rust-colored pelt with black legs and a long, bushy white-tipped tail.  They average 15 to 16 inches in height and weigh between 8 and 15 pounds.

The Minnesota Red Fox can run up to 30 mph and jump as far as 15 feet.  They are most often seen at twilight and during the evening hours when they venture away from their dens to hunt.

Foxes have a dog-like appearance because they are members of the Canidae animal family – a group that includes dogs, wolves, and similar creatures.  While foxes tend to stay quiet to avoid detection, they can bark, yelp and make many dog-like sounds when necessary.  

A Red Fox with its prey

Unlike dogs and wolves, foxes are not pack animals.  They live and hunt alone, except for a short period of time while raising their young with a mate.  During those months, both parents venture out to hunt alone and bring their catches home to the den to feed their “pups.”  Within a year, the fox pups grow to be large and independent enough to leave the den and live on their own.

As omnivores, Red Foxes feed on rats, mice, rabbits, squirrels, birds, snakes, lizards, fish, insects, berries, nuts, and seeds.  They use their keen eyes, ears, and sense of smell to locate prey.  A fox can detect the sound of a burrowing ground squirrel or a lizard rustling through the brush, from several yards away.  But since foxes hunt alone, rather than in packs, they must often use clever cat-like tactics to track, stalk, and pounce on their prey.  These hunting techniques are believed to be the inspiration behind the old phrase, “sly as a fox.”

Foxes are one of the few predators that occasionally store food under brush or buried in the ground for use later.  While harmless to humans – a fox will usually run as soon as it sees you – they do have a few natural enemies.  Coyotes, dogs, and humans all compete for territory and hunt foxes.

At Camp Foley, our “Foxes” are our youngest camper group.  Like their animal namesakes, Foley Foxes learn valuable skills that they can continue to use throughout their lives.

What animals have you seen here at Foley?  Let us know!

(For more pictures, info, and to hear the sound of a fox barking, click these:)

Animal Planet

National Geographic