The apparent disappearance of skunks from Arlington County, Va., could indicate a larger problem in the region, experts say.

Wildlife biologist Earl Hodnett said the notable absence of skunks throughout the county was particularly disturbing since the animals are notorious for their survival skills in nearly any circumstance, The Washington Post said Saturday.

It would really raise questions about our own quality of life, Hodnett said. If a skunk can't make it here, how are we doing?

County naturalist Greg Zell said a search of area road kill reports found that no skunk has been killed on an area road in more than three years.

That's where you would expect to find skunks, especially on the George Washington Parkway, he said. So it doesn't look good.

The Post said one possible reason for the absence of skunks in the 26-square-mile county could be increased urbanization of the region. Zell told the newspaper 40 percent of the county has been paved over and its human population has reached 200,000.

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