A skunk raises a warning flag. |
Is That Skunk? premiered last night on NATURE. If you missed it, you can watch the program online. If you saw it, we want to know what you think!
What was your favorite part?
Did you discover anything unexpected about skunks?
Did what you saw change your attitudes toward these animals?
Anything you didn’t like?
Let us know in the comments form below.
137 Responses to “Did you watch “Is That Skunk?” Tell us what you think!”
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Gig’em
It was great information about the animal. Besides bees do they find termites tasty? The animal looks cute but are very destructive here at our house. They have a multi-generational (45 yrs we have been here) den under the house and tear the shingle siding off to get to it. Also move huge rocks to get in. Having multiple dens explains how they have survived termite tenting. Recently an exterminator told me that skunks do not eat termites (a reoccuring problem here) as I thought. He also suggested we try scattering moth balls about their access point. It seems to work, they fuss a lot but are repelled by them. I now keep fresh moth balls about as I suspect they have communicated with thousands of offspring as to the location of this den. Thanks for the program,
I loved the show and I like skunks ! I teach first grade and introduce my students to all things skunks. My students pour over books from our school’s library learning all about skunks. Years ago I read that skunks return to certain geographic routes because their brains have ingrained routes for searching out water, so when a road in built they are still compelled to cross as they migrate towards water. My local paper , the San Diego Union Tribune published articles about skunks many years ago with that info. Also, I have had to use the hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and soap mixture on my stubborn dogs on many occasions. I also ran over an already dead skunk once and had to wash my car with the mixture… even so it reeked for several days.
I enjoyed the show very much.
P.S.
I have a skunk puppet in my class and my students enjoy putting our air freshener can inside of it so the it looks like it sprays us in class!
Four years ago, we moved to a home in the country and have had several skunks in our yard. Our dogs encountered them first and I learned the recipe for skunk odor removal pretty much right away: 1 quart hydrogen peroxide, 1/2 to 3/4 gal. vinegar (preferably cider vinegar but white is OK), 2 Tablespoons blue Dawn dishwashing liquid. Optional ingredients include baking soda, 1/2 cup, and salt, 1/2 cup.
One evening, while I was relaxing on the deck with the cats and petting them, I felt a strange feeling fur…just different from cat fur…and looked down to see I was petting a skunk. My heart leaped into my throat and I slowly walked into the house. He did not spray…and over the next couple of years became somewhat of a pet, often coming into the house with the cats to eat and relax by the back door. I asked our vet to descent him, but it’s illegal here, so we just stayed calm whenever he was around. Then a few weeks ago, I found him flattened out on the country road that goes by our place. My heart is broken! He was the sweetest little guy! And after watching your show, I learned, along with personal experience, that they are wonderful animals! So glad to find out that there are people who look out for them, too. I didn’t know there are rescuers and researchers and rehabbers. It just seems so unfair that it’s not OK to care for them, but it’s perfectly OK to shoot them in most states. We have had offers from “friends” to come out and “get rid” of the skunks here. No way! If they just wouldn’t wander, they have a safe haven on our property.
I watched the video this morning and enjoyed it immensely. We live in the country and currently have a family of skunks that come to eat with our barn cats when we feed them in the evening. There is one “runt” who grabs a piece of food and goes off to eat by itself. The babies are so cute. I watched their momma move them from under one of our sheds to the barn one morning. She carried them in her mouth, just like a cat would do. It is wonderful to find out that they do so much good by eating so many different things. Every once in a while we will smell them, but not as often as you would expect. I am glad to see the recipe for skunk odor removal, in case we should need it. Thank you for such an informative video. I hope to purchase it for my mother, who always wanted a skunk as a pet when she was a young girl.
This is some program! Nature is my favorite program ever! Skunks are fascinating animals! I once encountered one when walking with my dogs in the middle of Mosholu Pkwy in the Bronx back in October 2009. He just crossed the parkway forcing some drivers to stop and admire him!
I have purchased this episode and played it on my first grade class last year! The children loved it!
Wonderful episode! What we’ve come to expect from PBS Nature, without disappointment. “… everyone has a skunk story” It’s true. I did not know skunks were born ready to spray.. That explains a couple of my own experiences in central Michigan..
Thank you for posting this show free of charge. I enjoyed it; I think it was good to have some balance among wild film footage, interaction with humans and wild and domestic animals, plus the mystery of skunks being in such numbers in the town, and the lifestyles of people helping and studying skunks. The demonstration of the anal scent nozzles is . . . very convincing; and to know a chased skunk can leave a fine mist screen to welcome the hunter in pursuit – - always there is more to learn, for predators and for me (c: So, thank you!
I am a real madrid fan, I am telling you villa insulting ozil’s regilion has all been rumor since neither of both has come out to address it! In that incident Ozil was heated because he got hit twice by Villa and Valdez! Has nothing with racist slurs as far as it is concered and we left it at that! I dot’t want or like to accuse Villa of so.
Same goes to Cesc, but the difference is, both Kanoute and Cesc addressed the matter and it is over!
Watched it a few weeks ago.
Recently after, I was camping, sleeping on a cot, under the stars (no tent); my head resting on my back pack. I awoke in the middle of the night as something was tugging at my pack beneath my head. My first thoughts as I slowly became aroused was a dang “coon” or possum so prominent in the area. In my sleepy haze I turned to be face to face w/ a beautiful, full grown specimen, eye to eye!. There was food in my pack he obviously smelled. My 1st. reaction was…”Ooooh S**t !”. Then I remembered the program, and did not feel threatened. instead, I remained still, quite, and admired his beauty! He was a fine specimen! Full coat and vivid,distinct stripes! With a raised tail! He was quick to do that! But did not spray. After 30 mins of wandering nearby (within range of me)….he went on his way. What a beautiful animal!
He returned two more nights with the same results. He checked out all my stuff… sniffing around at many times was within inches of me. I remained quite and still, he went own his way, and I was better for seeing his beauty!
Awesome show. This show had to involve a lot more humans than I would like, because of the behavior of the species. I thought close-up spray shots were remarkable, and something we would never be able to see in real life (thankfully). I learned a lot and was surprised to see that they are no longer considered Mustelids. Keep up the great work.
I loved it!!!
Only thing…the program made no mention of when, how, or if skunks bite! Also, I would still like to know what their fur smells like? Does it carry a faint scent of their spray? I saw them swim, but do they take to being bathed easily? This was a great program, and much appreciation to the man that runs the rescue shelter. He was a great teacher and spokesperson!
I enjoyed watching the show, however I felt there was one misleading fact. The show mentioned that the last reported case of rabies transferred by a skunk was back in the early 1990s. However, I myself had a rabid skunk come to my house when I was in high school back in 2003 I believe. It tested positive by the state department, and I was very lucky I had no salivary contact with the animal. In addition, just this year there has been a huge increase in rabies cases reported in my home state of Oklahoma…one of those cases a horse! Therefore, I believe we should always be cautious of wild animals, especially skunks. And always, always rabies vaccinate your animals (including your livestock!).
A friend and I were at our local school playground and we thought we saw a puppy in the field next the playground. So we went over to the fence and started yelling, “Here puppy, puppy, puppy!” over and over again. We saw it come out of a bush and it started waddling toward us. My friend stood up and whispered, “I don’t think that’s a puppy…” and started to back away. Then I looked closer and I swear I felt my heart drop in my stomach and I said, “That’s a skunk!”. I lived across the street from the school and we walked there so we ran for my house and didn’t look back. We crossed the street and looked to check and see where the skunk was and it was following us. We stood there watching it waddle toward us with it’s tail in the air, but when it got close to the road, it stopped. It looked at the cars whizzing by and turned around… Great times! (:
Just wanted to share my “skunk story” prefaced by the fact hat I’ve always been fascinated by these cute, fearless critters. (Although I’m slightly disapointed they’re no longer mustelids. I’ve been a ferret fan for nearly 30 years and always liked likening the two.) Oh, and Kendahs i- they can bite, and fairly well, but rarely resort to it.
But my story: About 10 years ago I had to walk to work at 4 a.m. I cut through a section of woods to shorten my walk time and although not in a truly dangerous area, it was borderline to some high-crime sections. One mornng I came upon a striped skunk and, having my lunch on me and being an animal lover, shared some. This skunk walked me through the woods to the main thoroughfare.
Thinking having a skunk escort me was a darn good safety move, I started carrying various kibble & treats with me. Imagine a rapist or murderer or even a theif sprayed by a skunk! lol Fortunately, it never came to that. But it DID come to a friendship; Slick, as I called him/her (I never got close enough to gender! I think it was a male, though.) would meet me at the edge of the woods and walk the 20 minutes through the woods with me as I occassionaly gave him treats. This went on daily for 6 months, to the point I’d go out & give him treats in the mornings I had off.
I’d like to think Slick sensed my fear and offered his skills but regardless, I do miss him. He was friendly and even sometimes affectionate to me and I truly believe he earned every one of those treats. I’m thankfully not sure, but I do believe he would’ve used his resources to protect me as well.
Regardless, he lives in infamy in my mind and it’s quite comforting to have a skunk on your side when crossing through woods in the wee hours.
Hey Jesus g – Ferrets are also still illegal in Cali due to a misinformed governer. I say this as many people like the smell of ferrets as well (while others hate it). It’s like a warm corn-chips smell. I love it. Perhaps you could sign the latest bill to get these animals approved? Ferrets and skunks are both adorable and capable of real love and affection, and the pet types are neutered and descented. That’s Cali’s concern….the might form their own breeds and take over. Ridiculous! Hard to have babies without the equipment!
All they have to do is disallow local breeders.
PBS – AWESOME show! When’s your next one on ferrets? Saw the last one but want more! lol
To neutralize skunk spray
1 Quart of 3 percent Hydrogen Peroxide
1/4 cup Baking Soda
1 Teaspoon of Liquid Laundry Soap (Pert shampoo also works)
After 5 minutes rinse with water
Keep out of eyes !
Only mix and use outside !
Myself and my collie experienced being spayed in the face at the same time… NOT a pleasant experience.
My collie went blind shortly afterward, never was sure if it was being spayed by a skunk that did it.