Skunks are famous for their capacity to provide foul smelling odor to defend a prey. These mammals belong to the Mephitidae family. Eleven species of skunks are known. The forms of species may be divided into four on the whole: Spilogale or spotted skunks, Mydaus or stink badgers, Conepatus or hog-nosed skunks, and Mephitis or stripped and hooded skunks. Skunks are found in North America, South America, Canada, Philippines and Indonesia.

Lengthwise they vary from forty centimeters to seventy centimeters and in weight they vary from one pound to ten pounds. They have front claws which help them to dig easily and have quick muscular legs, which go with their fairly long striped body. Commonly, their fur is of white and black colors, but there are skunks with gray, brown and cream colored fur. Skunks are stripped from birth. A thick stripe runs from their tail to the top of their head. Some many have two thin strips, broken strips or white spots. Some Skunks legs are also stripped.

Some nations have laws about retaining skunks as pets. It is legal to have a skunk as a pet in United States. Normally mephitis species are most well-liked pets as they are very social. Before selling a skunk, the pet retailers remove the scent glands of skunks. They are imagined to live longer in captivity when compared to residing in wild. Their lifespan is from ten to twenty years. ItÂ’s usual with Pilgrims and European settlers, in United States, to keep skunks as pets.

Skunks feed on both vegetation and animal and hence are omnivorous. Coming to animals they eat insects, earthworms, lizards, frogs, rodents, salamanders, snakes, moles, birds and eggs. When they cannot find meat, they feed on wild fruits and seeds. Some skunks even feed on garbage, in urban areas.

Skunks are crepuscular animals. Skunks stay aloof when not breeding, but stay in communal dens in the winters. They do not hibernate in the winters, but turn into inactive and do not eat much. They live in burrows dug by them or artificial pits or natural pits, depending on their necessities and situation. In winter, a huddle with one male and almost twelve female live a den. They use the same den, every year in the winter.

Skunks have excellent hearing and smelling sense. But their vision is not good. They can not see clearly more than three meters and that is the reason why most skunks are killed in street accidents. In accordance with a examine, almost fifty percent skunks die as a result of road traffic and less than ten % cross three years of life.

Skunks have the flexibility to hold rabies. Nearly thirty one % of them are contaminated with it, however all of the human rabies instances end result from canine and bat bites. Before preserving them as pets, they should be vaccinated to keep away from any mishaps. And incase, a skunk bites certain measures should be taken. Clear the wound totally with antibacterial solution and water. If the wound is bleeding, apply ice pack or pressure to stop it. Emergency service must be referred to as immediately. After getting to the physician, insists on taking a tetanus shot. Try to catch the skunk, both lifeless or alive, in order that it receivedÂ’t unfold rabies to others in the neighborhood. Also check could be carried out to determine whether the skunk had rabies or not.