The Bad Smell Of Skunks

We know her because of the Looney Tunes animated character called Pepé Le Pew and for being a “rather” smelly animal. In this article we will tell you all about this particular mammal by revealing what lies behind the secret of the bad smell of the skunk. But he is also a very sweet animal, so it is worth getting to know him better, do you agree?

Characteristics and habitat of the skunk

It is a medium-sized mammal whose coat is black with white stripes of different sizes. This animal lives in burrows built by itself, which can be up to three meters high and are divided into rooms or chambers. It uses its clawed front legs as highly efficient shovels and can also occupy nests or caves stealing them from other species.

There are different species of skunks, depending on their geographic location. For example, the Patagonian skunk lives in Argentina; in Central America, Colombia and Brazil the pygmy spotted skunk, and in Central and North America the hooded skunk, with the typical white spot on the back. Additionally, there is a subspecies that can be found in Southeast Asia.

Behavior and feeding of the skunk

The skunk is omnivorous and feeds mainly on insects, fruit, eggs, small mammals, honey and birds. Males are very solitary and almost never coincide with other congeners, since their territory can be somewhat limited. They only cross these boundaries when looking for a female to mate with, in late winter or early spring.

As for reproduction, the female skunk has a gestation of 55 days and can give birth to 10 cubs, which feed on their mother’s milk for about two and a half months. The life of the mother and her young is simpler than that of the male, since she remains with the cubs closed in the den, even if we cannot speak of a hibernation condition.

On some occasions, the father may decide to stay in the shelter too, but for this the conditions must be perfect, especially in terms of space. And even when winter is very harsh, they can share the same cave with raccoons and foxes, without any problems.

The smell of the skunk

Undoubtedly, the main skill of the skunk is the unpleasant and strong smell that is sprayed from its anal glands, which it releases by lifting its tail or hind legs after producing a sharp and loud sound. This substance can reach up to two meters away and is the primary defense weapon it possesses.

In nature, the smell of skunks can linger on trees, rocks or leaves for several days. And in the event that the animal dies, its stench will last even more than a month.

If you have been “hit” by a skunk, you can try a home remedy that supposedly neutralizes this nauseating stench. You will need to use:

• One liter of 3% hydrogen peroxide.
• ¼ of baking soda.
• a spoonful of detergent.

Mix these ingredients together and apply the mixture to the surface affected by the skunk. Be careful, as it may whiten fabrics. It can also be used on a dog or cat’s fur if they have been “scented” by the skunk. Obviously, the best way to avoid this animal’s bad smell is to get away as far as possible and not scare it (something quite difficult, since it will try to defend itself immediately, in case of danger).