Skunk
Skunk Facts
| Size | Up to 17.7 inch (45 cm) (body); up to 9.8 inch (25 cm) (tail) |
| Speed | Up to 10 mph (16 km/h) |
| Weight | Up to 13.8 lb (6.3 kg) |
| Lifespan | 5-8 years |
| Food | Fish, fruit, seeds, grasses |
| Predators | Owls, coyotes, wild cats |
| Habitat | South Canada, USA, Mexico |
| Order | Carnivore |
| Family | Skunks |
| Scientific name | Mephitidae |
| Characteristics | Mostly black and white striped fur, bad smell |
The Worst Smelling Skunk
The family of skunks includes the striped skunk, the spotted skunk, the American hog-nosed skunk, and the stink badger. The animals can be easily recognized with their black and white fur. They are about as big as a domestic cat.
Rather Vain
The award for the worst smelling skunk „perfume“ goes to the striped skunk.
The Only Enemy of the Skunk
Skunks cannot run very quickly. Thus they would be an easy prey for many enemies. But the only animal which dares to attack this stinking prey is the great horned owl. It does have any problems with the stinking liquid produced by the skunk. Why? This is easy: Because the owl has a very bad sense of smell.
Snake Poison Does Not Affect the Skunk
Skunks are resistant to snake poison. They would have to get 10 times as much poison as an animal of similar size to die from it.
How Old Do Skunks Get?
90 % of all skunks do not survive the first winter and do not get older than 3 years. Pet skunks can reach an age of up to 15 years.
How Far Can Skunks Spray Their „Perfume“?
There are different opinions: Some say the skunk can spray its perfume up to a distance of 10 ft (3 m), others are convinced that it even reaches distances of up to 20 ft (6 m).
The Stinking Perfume
The „Eau de Skunk“ smells like a mix of garlic, sulphur, burnt rubber and addled eggs. You can still smell it at a distance of 2.4 miles (4 km)! The yellow oil is produced in two glands situated below the tail. The liquid does not only smell bad but also causes temporary blindness. Humans suffer from it, too. If you swallow the substance, you will have to throw up and possibly become unconscious.
Deploying the „Weapon“
The „stink gun“ is used rather carefully because the skunk needs several days until the glands have produced enough of the smelly substance again.
1. Warning
If skunks feel threatened they first cock their tails. For most animals, this warning is sufficient. They take to their heels and run away.
2. and Last Warning
If the first warning was ignored, the skunks start to form a „U“ with their bodies. Head and tail point towards the enemy. They also bare their teeth. Now, an attack seems to be almost inevitable.
Skunk Perfume in Your Clothes
If the skunk has contaminated your clothes, you can only throw them away. You will never ever get rid of the smell, no matter how often you put your clothes into the washing machine. Even on your skin the smell persists for days without fading.
If Skunks Fight Each Other
Of course you would assume that skunks spray their perfume at each other during a fight (e.g. for a lady skunk). But this has never been observed yet.
- Find out more:
- 13 Animals With Unusual Sense of Smell
- Meerkat Facts
- Raccoon Facts
- Red Fox Facts
- Red Panda Facts
- Watch now on animalfunfacts.net:
Video: 11 Mammal Fun Facts - what do skunks do before they attack?
