Rare eastern spotted skunk taken in by Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center

ROANOKE, Va. (WRIC) -- The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center has received its first-ever eastern spotted skunk from a neighboring county after it was found stuck in a dryer exhaust event. The center said this species is rare and is listed as a Tier IV Species of Greatest Conservation Need and Vulnerable on the ICUN Red List. Due to its scarcity, the center said it couldn't reveal the locality from which it was admitted. In Virginia, they are found in the foothills of the Blue Ridge and further west, according to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. The rescued skunk was slightly dehydrated when it was admitted, but the center said it was generally in good overall health and it was expected to be released on Friday, Jan. 24. Eastern spotted skunk (Photo: Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center)Eastern spotted skunk (Photo: Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center)Eastern spotted skunk (Photo: Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center)Eastern spotted skunk (Photo: Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center)Eastern spotted skunk (Photo: Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center)Eastern spotted skunk (Photo: Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center) The species is described as being about half the size of a house cat, according to the department. They eat insects, small animals, bird eggs, bees and honey. The center said eastern spotted skunks are avid climbers. When they're threatened, they're known to do a handstand with their tails in the air to appear larger. Though the species seldom spray like common skunks, if they or their young feel threatened, they can spray up to 13 feet away. For more information on the eastern spotted skunk, visit the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources' website.