The Skunk and It's Habits

Read more about skunks.

       One of the American mammals most familiar by reputation is the skunk. It is seldom larger than an ordinary house-cat, though its legs are not so long nor its movements so swift and graceful. The head is small, somewhat triangular, and capped with two low, rounded ears. The back usually curves slightly upward and the long-haired, plumed tail arches away from the body. Sometimes the color is all black, but usually, in the Illinois skunk most commonly found in this region, it is a rather definite pattern of white laid in black. A fine line of white runs down the forehead, while a block of the same color starts just behind the ears and passes down to the shoulders. There it divides and a strip proceeds along each side of the body, eventually losing itself in the tail.
       The color and shape of the skunk are not in themselves cause for alarm, yet at sight or smell of the glossy low-slung body, most other animals step well aside and give it full right of way, to avoid its unique protective device. This defense weapon, well concealed under the base of the tail, consists of two small sacs which act as storage chambers for a particularly offensive-smelling fluid, the skunk musk. When sufficiently provoked, the skunk can so tense the muscles surrounding the scent bags that the musk is shot out freely upon the luckless enemy. The aim and range of fire of the skunk are remarkably good. If an attacker approaches from above, behind, or the side, he may be thoroughly drenched with spray even at a distance of twenty feet from the source, but since the supply of musk is not inexhaustible, it is used only in times of greatest stress and only after a preliminary warning performance has had no effect. Before each shot, the skunk beats the ground with its front feet, lifts high its tail, and as a final gesture straightens the drooping tip of the tail upward. Few are those who stay nearby after these signals of action have been given.
       Skunks are found over most of the United States, as well as north into Canada and south to Guatemala. Their life is spent mainly on the ground. Usually, after resting all day in some secluded spot, the skunk starts out at twilight to look for food. The long, heavy claws on its front feet are the tools with which it digs up the earth or scrapes aside leaves in hunting for the roots, fruit, grasshoppers, crickets, eggs, mice, frogs, and snakes which go to make up its varied meals. By thus keeping down destructive insects and other small animals, the skunk is of great value to the farmer. Generally, the skunk remains active all winter long, though in periods of sharp cold it may sleep for several days in its den.
       For its home the skunk searches out a well-protected hole, often one that some other animal has made, along the edge of a wood, in a field, or underneath a deserted farm building. Sometimes the burrow is as long as eight feet or more and at the end of it is built the shallow nest of dried leaves, grass, and small sticks. From six to ten young, no larger than mice, are born, usually in the spring. Their eyes are completely closed and their small bodies are either entirely bare or else covered with only a delicate coat of fur. The future definite markings of the full-grown animal are well outlined on the young skin, but show up in pink and gray instead of white and black. By the time the skunks are little more than two weeks old, the eyes are open and the body is fully furred. Two weeks later the scent glands start to function and the young can protect themselves if necessary. As they grow larger they run with their mother while she hunts, but finally leave her in the following spring when they are quite able to care for themselves. Elizabeth Best 

• An incredible friendship between a woman and her rescued skunk.