Skunks don't want to see people any more than we want to cross paths with them. Quick to feel threatened, they resort to a variety of instinctual behaviors to defend themselves against perceived danger. They emerge after the sun sets to explore their environment and forage when the weather is moderate. During colder times of year, they transition into torpor, living on fat stored on their bodies. Continue reading for more interesting facts about the lifestyle of skunks.
Everything Kids Want to Know About Skunks
Kids are naturally fascinated by skunks, and it's easy to see why! Despite their infamous reputation, these little creatures have a unique blend of intriguing characteristics that really capture a child's curiosity. Kids are naturally fascinated by skunks, and it's easy to see why! Despite their infamous reputation, these little creatures have a unique blend of intriguing characteristics that really capture a child's curiosity. The main reason skunks are so famous is their powerful, stinky spray. This defense mechanism is inherently captivating to kids because it's a bit gross, a bit shocking, and totally unforgettable. They're often eager to learn how it works, how far it can spray, and what makes that smell so potent. Continue reading to learn all sorts of strange but true facts about skunk behavior.
Strange Facts About the Life and Behavior Skunks
There's more to skunks than just their spray! They also have other interesting behaviors that kids will want to know. For instance, they're nocturnal, which adds a sense of mystery to their lives. Little animal lovers often find it engaging to learn about how skunks might stomp their feet, raise their tails, or even do a "handstand" right before they spray. Reading children books about skunks provides lots of laugh out loud moments when unsuspecting characters get caught in path of an animal, whose reaction in the face of fear, is to lift its leg and spray. But beyond their stinky sprays, there is lots to learn about the behavior and lifestyle of skunks that is equally unappealing and, well, grotesque.
(1) Skunks like to dig.
Equipped with strong forefeet and long nails, skunks can tear up golf courses, gardens, and front lawns in search of grubs, earthworms, and other food buried in the dirt. When in search of shelter, these destructive animals have been known to find opening in foundations from which to create burrows. In doing so, they can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage.
(2) Spraying is a last resort.
When feeling cornered or threatened, they have an arsenal of defense mechanisms they utilize before actually lifting their tails to spray the infamous odor upon predators. Stomping feet, growling, spitting, fluffing its fur, and shaking its tail are all tactics they utilize to frighten enemies away.
(3) Skunks carry a lot of diseases.
The most serious of these is rabies, which is deadly for humans and pets who are bitten or otherwise come in contact with an infected animal. People should be weary of skunks that are walking around during the daytime, as this is a likely sign of disease. There are two classifications of rabies that are both equally dangerous. Animals that are "furious" and aggressively attack humans are a serious threat. Equally concerning are skunks who present with "dumb" rabies, and behave in a lazy or indifferent manner toward people.
(4) Skunks can survive in a variety of habitats.
For this reason, people need to accept the fact that these smelly creatures will always live close by, as long as there is access to water. They set up dens about 2 miles from food and water sources, preferably in brush hollows, logs, and abandoned animal burrows. But sometimes these unwelcome creatures will take up residence under porches, decks, and other structures around a house.
(5) How to get rid of skunk odor.
For obvious reasons, these creatures are not the most popular animals to spot when spending time outdoors. Although they are not feared for their physical aggression, the smelly odor they emit as a defense mechanism is offensive enough to send people running. There are lots of home remedies to get rid of the smell, such as combining hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dish soap into a mixture for objects, pets, or people who have had unfortunate encounters with skunks.
(6) Some skunks do handstands before they spray.
The Eastern Spotted Skunk has a bizarre move it pulls before resorting to its infamous spray. If its initial warnings like foot-stomping or hissing don't deter a threat, this little skunk will actually do an elaborate "handstand dance!" It'll stand on its front paws, arch its back, and raise its hind legs and tail high into the air. This not only makes for a theatrical display but also helps the skunk aim its scent glands directly at the perceived danger, all while still fa
(7) Skunks have amazing control over how they spray.
They don't just blast it all out in one big cloud. Instead, they can fire a concentrated stream directly at a threat, or they can release a wider mist to cover more ground. They can even choose to spray from one or both of their scent glands and can hit a target with surprising accuracy from up to 10 to 20 feet away! This smart control helps them save their valuable, slow-to-replenish spray for when it's absolutely necessary.
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