Debate on Skunks: Re: Skunks

» 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