WASHINGTON -- While humans are courting on February 14, amorous male skunks are busy playing the dating game as well. February through March is mating season for striped, hog–nosed, and hooded skunks, and that translates into "skunk smell." According to The Humane Society of the United States, the stink occurs when males try to court females who may not be in "the mood." When that happens, female skunks generate an aroma to repel their rejected suitors. Fortunately, skunk romance only lasts a short time.
According to Laura Simon, field director of urban wildlife programs for The HSUS, "Skunks are gentle, non-aggressive creatures who have wrongly earned a bad reputation because of that pungent odor. People don't appreciate the benefits they provide by eating grubs, insects, mice, and baby rats."
"People do not realize how difficult it is to get sprayed by a skunk since these animals give a warning when alarmed by stamping their front feet. If you take heed of that warning, they won't spray. Dogs ignore this warning, which is why they do get sprayed," Simon explains.
The HSUS has a recipe that works to deodorize skunked dogs: Mix a quart of hydrogen peroxide with a ¼ cup baking soda and teaspoon of liquid dish soap. Bathe the dog in it, rinse, and the odor disappears in minutes.
About skunks:
- Skunks are cat-sized or smaller; all of the five species found throughout North America can be identified by their distinctive black and white coloration of either stripes or spots.
- Skunks are extremely nearsighted yet have a very fine-tuned sense of smell.
- Skunks are solitary animals, except when raising young or sharing a den during cold periods.
- Striped skunks, hog-nosed and hooded skunks breed in February and March and the babies are born in May and June. Spotted skunks breed either later in the spring, early summer, or in the fall as is the cased with western spotted skunks.
- Skunks den in natural cavities like woodchuck burrows, hollow logs, and brush piles, as well as crevices in stone walls and under buildings.
- A den is used only for brief periods because skunks are nomadic by nature.
- Once classified as members of the Mustelid family, a group that includes weasels, martens, and badgers, skunks are now placed in a family group all their own.
- Skunks can be active all year but will remain in dens during cold spells.
- Skunks often tumble into window wells and not able to climb out due to their nearsightedness and poor climbing ability. If a skunk is stuck in a window well, it is very easy to help him out. (visit www.hsus.org for easy how-to advice)
- Prevent a skunk in your window well by purchasing a window well cover which is inexpensive and readily available at hardware stores.
- Skunks follow their noses, so if garage door is open, a skunk will likely amble in. If the skunk enters the garage, The HSUS recommends leaving a garage door open at night and sprinkling flour along the bottom of it so you can see the exiting tracks.
The HSUS Wild Neighbors Program promotes non-lethal means for resolving conflicts between people and wildlife and cultivates understanding and appreciation for wild animals commonly found in cities and towns. On the web at www.wildneighbors.org.
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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with nearly 10 million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, marine mammals, animals in research, equine protection and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy and field work. The nonprofit organization is based in Washington and has field representatives and offices across the country.
