Debate on Skunks
- QuartzNH
- Lily1013
- ConnieT
- JeffSinger
- ConnieT
- Marge_Talt
- DogMan53
This archived discussion is "read only".
For the corresponding "live" discussions, post in the active topic forum here.
» QuartzNH - Skunks
Okay, I'm in a middle of a debate with my boyfriend. I don't know where else to go, other that talking to people I know...so I thought maybe this place could help.It's very silly. He is thoroughly convinced that Skunks do not spray. He is convinced that they wet their tails and fling it. Okay, fine. I didn't believe him, for several reasons. He has mentioned that this is one of the biggest misconceptions with skunks.
Being a big skeptic and a person who likes to be right, I did TONS of research. And every website I found told me that the biggest misconception about skunks that people have are, Skunks are born with rabies and Skunks don't spray but rather wet their tails fling it.
I sent him the websites...I even found a video that shows a skunks spraying.
I told him that all these experts and people who deal with animals wouldn't be telling us that they spray when they don't.
I told him to prove this to me. Also, I suggested him to call Fish and Game, the Audubon Society and different vets in the area. But he's not going to do this.
After I sent the website links, etc, he still insist that I'm wrong and that he doesn't know WHERE I got my information.
HELP!
Erica
-- posted by QuartzNH
» Lily1013 - Re: Skunks
In response to message posted by QuartzNH:Hi Erica,
Sounds like your boyfriend will stick to his guns no matter how much proof you give. All you can do is show the evidence and hope he finally admits he's wrong.
Skunks DO NOT wet their tails and fling it. In fact, skunks make it a point to keep their tail far out of the way when they spray, since they don't want any on them any more than their target does! I've read the same as you in books, online and watched videos, as well as seeing it live and firsthand from the family of skunks we had living behind our shed (unfortunately, trying to wash the stink off my dog wasn't too fun!).
Skunks wetting their tails and flinging their spray is a popular misconception, right up there with the myth that porcupines throw their quills. Porupines swing their tails and try to hit their attacker to imbed the quills, but they can't throw them.
-- posted by Lily1013
» ConnieT - Skunks
Sorry I didn't post earlier but I was away for a bit.I live in the country and I can assure you skunks do spray especially if threatened. They will usually give you a warning before they spray.
The chemical skunks spray at their enemies is a sulfur compound called N- bulymercaptan. It is ejected in a fanlike pattern from two small openings near the animal's rectum. The glands that produce the chemical hold enough for five or six full-powered sprays.
Skunks are not born with rabies either. They contract rabies from other animals. I read somewhere that coyotes are the most common carrier of rabies.
Some people actually keep skunks as pets, though I can't imagine why! As a pet, they are desented about a month after birth.
-- posted by ConnieT
» JeffSinger - Re: Skunks
In response to message posted by ConnieT:Actually I've both heard and read from various skunk owners that Skunks make wonderful pets! People often say that they wouldn't like to own a skunk because it would smell bad. Well truth be known that when skunks are desented they don't smell at all. You seldomly need bathe them, and they are as lovable as cats, only more intelligent. Domestic skunks have been bred for the last several hundred years for people who want to try a different type of pet than cats and dogs. Why not try something new? I hope to own one in the future, but currently they are illegal to raise in my state.
Skunks will spray you, but unless you run at it or startle it by ambush, 90% of the time they will give you plenty of chances to escape. Like most animals, they would rather run first, but when cornered or followed they will warn you by stomping and lifting their tails in the air. I've read that most will give you multiple hints to back off, cause they don't like to use their spray cause it would make them vulnerable to the next predator they encounter (since their spray is not without limitation). I've seen plenty of skunks and not once have I seen one that didn't run off when startled.
-- posted by JeffSinger
» ConnieT - Re: Re: Skunks
In response to message posted by JeffSinger:Having a skunk as a pet may be interesting that's for sure. I myself don't know of anyone that has one or if it's legal or not in my State. I'm a bit curious on the care for a skunk...shots, food, etc.
We just have your typical wild skunks in my neighborhood.
-- posted by ConnieT
» Marge_Talt - Re: Skunks
In response to message posted by ConnieT:Well, I haven't had a skunk for a pet, either, but a woman on an email list I'm on has; she said they are very like cats. Very affectionate; play with cat toys and will use a cat box. The only negative is that they are nocturnal animals...they want to sleep all day and play all night. Probably not the best choice of pet for a morning person who needs their zzzzz's at night:-)
As for shots and care, I assume you'd need to take them to the vet and get rabies and distemper and the like.
The only time I've been close enough to touch one was at my vet's..someone had a baby in a box and I got to pet it. The fur was quite coarse, but it was cute as the dickens.
As for the stubborn boy-friend....the advice of an old lady who's been there; done that is that if he's going to be that stubborn in the face of absolute fact about a neutral sort of subject like wildlife habits, what's gonna happen when the topic is one of major importance??? Best think on that one:-)
-- posted by Marge_Talt
» DogMan53 - Re: Skunks
In response to Skunks posted by QuartzNH:Dear Erica. Dogman here, I totally simpathize with your boyfriend. apparently he is just jerking you around with your skunk theory. I am a supervisor of a animal orginization in arkansas and my duties include all parts of wildlife as well as domesticated animals. I also deal with skunks wild as well as tame. And If your boyfriend doesnt believe that skunks spray then let him take a test and see. Walk up behind a wild skunk with a flashlight at night and scream bubalalabubalala. and I would bet money that the skunk would spray and as he is watching the skunk with the flashlilght he will see first hand that skunks just dont fling their scent with their tails. Erica ask your boyfriend a question if he doesnt believe that skunks spray ,,does he believe that mice eat cheese? DogMan
-- posted by DogMan53
Please follow the guidelines set forth in the Suite101 Posting Etiquette when adding to the discussion.