Skunks are Mammals Too

Let's get right down to it. Skunks are mostly known for their horrible smell. But did you know that smell comes from a gland and that normally you will not smell them until they are provoked and they spray you?

A skunk's spray is an oily liquid produced by glands under its large tail. To use this scent bomb, a skunk turns around and blasts its foe with a foul mist.

Skunk spray causes no real damage to its victims. It can linger for many days and defy attempts to remove it. As a defensive technique, the spray is very effective. Most skunks present otherwise easy prey for larger animals, but typically these predators give them a wide berth unless little other food is available.

Skunks have two glands, that produce a mixture of sulfur-containing chemicals (methyl and butyl thiols (mercaptans)) that have a highly offensive smell that has been described as a combination of the odors of rotten eggs, garlic and burnt rubber. The odor of the fluid is strong enough to ward off bears and other potential attackers, and can be difficult to remove from clothing.

Skunks are very cute. Some states allow us to keep domesticated skunks. This involves removing their scent glands. But for the most part, they are solitary animals. This means that for the most part, they avoid other animals and humans. They try very hard not to get in harm's way.

Most species of skunk forewarn predators by stamping their front feet, raising their tail and walking stiff-legged. Spotted skunks will occasionally bluff by handstanding without spraying. If that fails, they will drop onto all fours and spray. The spray is aimed at the face and causes intense irritation, even temporary blindness, if it reaches the eyes.

During the day they shelter in burrows that they dig with their powerful front claws, or in other man-made or natural hollows as the opportunity arises.

Skunks hibernate in the winter, but not for an extended period of time. However, they remain generally inactive and feed rarely. The same winter den is often repeatedly used.

Although they have excellent senses of smell and hearing-they have poor vision. They cannot see objects more than about 3 metres (10 ft) away with any clarity, which makes them vulnerable to road traffic.

Skunks eat mostly insects, many of which are pests to humans. They are therefore very beneficial to have around. They also eat some plant material, including wild fruits, apples and corn. In winter and spring they may eat mice and the eggs of ground-nesting birds.

Although some areas allow us to keep domesticated skunks, in general, it is not advised.

The keeping of skunks as pets is legal only in certain U.S. states. Mephitis mephitis, the striped skunk species, is the most social skunk and the one most commonly domesticated. When the skunk is kept as a pet, the scent gland is removed. Typical life spans for domesticated skunks are considerably longer than for wild skunks, often reaching 10 years, though it is not unusual for a well-cared for skunk to live well past 20 years.

One problem with U.S. skunks kept as pets is the lack of genetic diversity. The few breeders of skunks use the same genetic stock (as none are allowed to be taken from the wild) that was available many decades ago, when skunks were bred for the fur trade rather than the pet trade. Many physical problems are often found with the domestic stock.