CARBONDALE - Based partly on the number of dead skunks littering Illinois roadways, biologists believe the species is making a comeback.

"Based on our road kill survey between February 2006 and January 2007, our biologists saw about 17 percent more road kill than in the previous year, which is creeping back up there," said Bob Bluett, a wildlife biologist with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. "We had a rabies outbreak in the early '80s, which caused the population to decline dramatically."

Most skunk deaths occur in late winter when skunks begin mating.

"Typically, they peak in February when they start to breed," Bluett said. "We have had some mild winter conditions. They don't truly hibernate, but they do hunker down when we get snow cover or the temperature gets cold."

In addition to illnesses such as rabies, weather conditions play a major role in skunk survival. Harsh winters and drought conditions have adverse effects on the skunk population.

Bluett said skunks are the primary reservoir for rabies in the Midwest. In other areas of the country, foxes, bats or raccoons are the primary carriers. However, the number of rabid skunks has decreased significantly since the 1980s epidemic.

Because of its odiferous defense mechanism, skunks have few natural enemies, including man. Skunk fur has never been in great demand.

"There aren't too many things that really care to tangle with a skunk," Bluett said. "Some of the raptors will, particularly owls. Skunks are nocturnal for the most part. Owls are nocturnal. They're the ones that are more likely to pick them off and they don't have a sense of smell so it doesn't bother them."

Over the years, skunks have shown an ability to co-exist with humans.

"They're adaptable in the sense they can live in grasslands, edge habitats and industrial parks," Bluett said. "These guys have always managed to eke out a living in residential areas, at least to my knowledge.

In most instances, skunks are docile creatures. They use their scent defensively.

"They're nearsighted, so a lot of times you're on them before you know it," Bluett said.