Who doesn't love a baby animal — even when it may not be the most welcome in our yard? In this week's Mammal Monday our editorial intern, Landry Allred, explains the why behind that distinctive whiff.
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© Bobby Middleton | #InTheWildHood
Our smelly companions often get a bad
reputation for their secret weapon of odor, but the more you learn about them,
the better you’ll be able to coexist with them.
There are 12 species of skunks in the world,
and five species occur in Texas. Skunks used to be considered in the same
family as weasels, but recently, taxonomists have put them in their own family,
along with the Asian stink badger.
Most of the skunks we see are probably striped
skunks, found statewide. Their markings can be highly variable. Two other
species in Texas are the eastern and western spotted skunk, marked by spots and
broken stripes. Many people imagine skunks as black animals with a white stripe
running from the top of their head to their tail tip, but this represents only
the hog-nosed skunk of the Edwards Plateau and Trans-Pecos region and the rare
hooded skunk, which is found only in the Big Bend region.
Skunks and smells always go together. They are
known for the foul-smelling odor they dispel from their rear to ward off predators.
Most people believe just being near a skunk will cause it to spray, but this is
a common misconception. Skunks spray only when feeling threatened as a means of
self-defense.
© Jenn Bauer | #InTheWildHood
Spraying is often a last resort for a skunk,
and skunks will give multiple warnings before spraying, such as stomping their
front feet, lifting their tail up and (if it’s a spotted skunk) even doing a
handstand. If feeling an immediate danger, however, they will spray without
warning.
Another misconception is that skunks spray in
a broad area and can do it only once. However, skunks can target shoot in any
direction. They can also spray more than once, as each gland they spray from
holds a tablespoon of spray. This fluid can be released in controlled amounts,
and it takes several days to completely refill.
The spray is a foul-smelling fluid known as
n-butyl mercaptan that often causes burning and stinging on a person’s skin.
The smell in the area will go away in a few days, and with humans, all it takes
is a long, hot shower to rid the odor. However, pets are much more difficult to
handle if they are sprayed.
It is a common belief that tomato juice gets
rid of the smell. However, the skunk smell will still linger after the tomato
juice odor wears off. A mixture of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and dish
detergent will often do the trick.
Another common idea is that holding a skunk by
its tail deters it from spraying. While this hasn’t technically been proven, it
is unwise to be that close to a skunk. Skunks are also known to be primary
carriers of rabies.
Skunks are non-aggressive animals, and the best
thing to do to avoid being sprayed is to leave them alone.
Skunks are actually quite beneficial for
farmers and gardeners because they eat rodents, insects and other animals that
are considered agricultural pests.
So next time you catch a glimpse of our black
and white friend, a simple nod will do to let them know you’re not a threat
worth spraying.
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