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.
(36 votes)
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I loved the episode! I love skunks. They are so cute. I wish teh show had a bit more info about them though. Such as how long it takes to regenerate their musk, how much they eat per day etc.
It was very interesting as well as informative and I hope the program will be repeated during the current season.
We watched last night and appreciate that there are informed people willing to learn about nature little gifts. We Cree Indians have been using skunk for centuries for medicine. I’ll have some this morning for my cough and by this evening, all flu symptoms will be gone. I mix skunk juice with little water to dilute/weaken the potion and voila, nature at its best, honest. I’ll burp a couple of stinky ones for a few hours, but like Buckley’s, its nasty but it works!!! I got more remedies….
I really enjoyed seeing the skunks doing what skunks do and the information that was given about them.The documentary was very interesting and I hope to see more of the little striped animal in the future on Nature. Bonnie Collins
Your program on skunks was very interesting. We live in the country in southern Ontario so have had some experience with skunks, particularly with our dogs coming into contact with them. I tried to grab a pen quickly to copy the recipe to rid my dogs of their offensive odour, but unfortunately missed it. Could you please send it to me via e-mail if possible. I have always used the old traditional method of tomato juice, but it still takes time to eliminate it completely.
I had no idea that skunks have different markings, I thought they all were the same as the ones in our area. As a matter of fact, the spotted skunk is very attractive to the eye.
We always watch the Nature programs, and to cover a rather unusal subject was very educating. I will now look at a skunk as just not a pest, but as an animal put on the earth with a purpose and a very powerful defense. Keep up your good work.
Pattie & Robert Lenson
Thank you for another excellent, informative program about adorable and amazing animals. Skunks are, in a word, great-I liked skunks to begin with, I thought they got a bad rap, but now I like them even more. My favorite parts of the program included a swimming (dog-paddling) skunk and 4 young skunks being bottle-fed by a great man…I was happy to learn about the woman in Ohio taking great care of skunks in need and educating people. My least favorite part was seeing people in a small California town (with a high pop of skunks) complain to police and talk about how skunks could negatively affect their lives, at that point, I had to change the channel.
I too love skunks I think they are beautiful. I found the segments about the man in New Mexico who rehabilitates skunks to be wonderful.
I think you presented skunks in an honest manner. They are great pets that really try to avoid humans while in the wild. Great job!
We let our 8-year-old daughter stay up to watch this last night, and we’re so glad we did! She has a soft spot for skunks and she just soaked it up. What a great show! We’ll be replaying it for her and the 6-year-old soon.
YES! I loved it! My husband recently passed away and strangely…this brought back very fond memories! When we were dating (39 years ago), we discovered his father had a stuffed skunk that I was fascinated with. For years afterwards…our nicknames for each other were Big Stinky and Little Stinky. We even thought about getting a pet skunk and having it de-skunked! But, never did. This went on for about 15 years or so. Looking for signs that he is trying to communiate with me…I was quite taken back that this show was on. Regardless…I was very amazed to find out so much about skunks!!! I only thought there was one kind and had no idea there is someone who actually has them for adoption!!!
I’m all for helping out the skunks, but was very concerned when I heard that the townspeople were going to stop feeding the feral cats. What happens to them? Starvation?
Excellent program!!! Would of liked to see more of Debbie’s operation in Ohio, but that’s because I was a participating audience member in her public class and know how big hearted she is when it comes to her skunks.
I would like to see more!!! I would like to make a suggestion to come back during the skunk feastival and get more information about the owners and their skunks.
I always wondered if feeding our cats outside was feeding anything else; We already knew about the possum because we saw him, but skunks must be visiting too.
The formula for getting rid of skunk odor was on Myth Busters. I can’t remember how it faired, but I think it got high markings. We tried it when our cat got skunked. It worked to some extent and we had to do it more than once but he was a repeat offender.
Thanks for a great show!
I always watch pbs programs and enjoyed the one on skunks. It was very educational and interesting. When I was a little girl, our neighbor had the stink glands removed from a litter of baby skunks. From that day, I was interested in skunks and often wondered about their habits and life. I loved the part where the man fed the babies with a dropper…so cute. Thank goodness for people like him to help these beautiful innocent creatures. I’m guilty of putting out veggie scraps for skunks or groundhogs. I think we have a family of both living under our small shed in our back yard. Thank you.
I have had skunks as pets for almost 20 years (2 girls and now have 2 boys) They are wonderful animals and all 4 have different and distinct personalities. They do require attention and special diets (fresh veggies and fruits) but they are worth it. The program was informative and just when you though you have a subject down pat a show like this comes along and teaches you a bunch of new stuff.
My father’s college roommate had several skunks (de-sented) as pets at his home on Ky; and didn’t seem to have any problems with them. My father had visited with the family and said they were warm like cats, but needed the care and attention of dogs. However my parents wouldn’t like me have a pet skunk, so I had a dog. c’est la vive
It was so exciting to know there are so many folks out there with pet skunks. We had one that had to be bottlefed back in the 1970’s. He only lived about 3 years. I was totaly devastated when he died. Although this is a unique pet they are not for everyone. But, if given the chance I would definitely have another skunk as a pet. I wish I had the facilities to be a rescuer.
Hi. We loved every minute of the show ( Is That Skunk?) We fell in love with the babies, marveled at how good skunks can swim, and learned a few things that we did not know. Hey! Were ready for the next program on skunks. Perhaps thier history into becoming domesticated. Few people know that back in the 1940,s you could purchase a Domestic raised skunk through the ( Sears & Roebuck) catolog. Also our American Skunks are sold to Japan, Italy, Germany, Holland, Great Britan and others. SKUNKS! Truely ( Americas Pet)
I loved the show my daughter, son in law and grandson were in it. It would have been a lot better if we would have been able to hear the first half hour. The feed was bad people were talking but no voices were coming out, just animal sounds, munching and crunching. I know it was supposed to be an educational movie but I couldn’t read lips to get educated. I hope when it’s on again the 27th at 2AM that I get to hear it all. PLEASE
I had the best Grandskunk in the world, he died the day the baby in the movie was born and the baby has an extra middle name in honor of his brother the skunk. I used to baby sit their skunk and although he slept most of the day he would come out at night for a snack and get up in my lap at the computer for a little while for a little affection then he’d go back to bed. (my fingers are crossed for tonight.)
Thank you so much for this program! I really knew nothing about skunks prior to this show and it was just so informative. I was really amazed to learn so many fascinating facts. I still can’t get over the fact that skunks eat bees!
There are not nearly enough nature shows about the small mammals that live among us.
I really liked this show but we need a seperate short video with the formula about neutralizing the scent of skunk-spray.
WRZ …..
ccdogpark at yahoo.com ……
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/WildlifeCareSupport/links/
……….
It was fantastic! I’m so glad that some real information about skunks is now out there. Skunks are fantastic!
~ Wild skunk rehabber in Los Angeles
http://www.AnimalAdvocates.us
THANK YOU!!!!! I spent much of the summer of ‘07 raising 8 baby skunks whose mother was hit by a car. Of course, I came to love them all, especially Blackie, the runt who had no stripes. Your story will enlighten and warm the hearts of many whose lives have been touched by the little black and whites!
The show was great. I really liked how they got it out to the public that skunks aren’t just born with rabies and walking around just waiting for a chance to bite some poor unsuspecting human. It was interesting to learn that the spotted skunk hunts from trees and I didn’t know they could walk on their front feet. I also didn’t know that skunks could direct their spray. I did wonder what ever became of the one orphan who didn’t want to be turned loose. It was a very informative show and I hope that more shows just like it are produced.
I wathed the show and I loved it. I collect skunks I have a whole room full. I would love to have skunks for a pet but I don’t have the placefor them. The program was great I did learn more about skunks. Will there be another show on about them if so can you e-mail me. Thanks for the show I also didn’t know there were so many skunk lovers.
I loved the show ,so much info,do another one soon Please. thanks to all who helped make this film it was really worth the watch
I loved the program and will always support the skunks no matter what. I am glad to see some one finally recognized the domestic skunks and wish they would have shown more of the colors of skunks. I would have liked to see the hooded skunk as well. I am glad that Jerry talked of skunks NOT having rabies and just like any other mammal have to be in contact with the virus to get it. Thanks Jerry for telling the public that. I did NOT like watching the fire in the in the grass in the Cal. town. Made me think how many aminals/skunks might get burnt. I also have to say I’m a proud skunk mama watching my Monk, Reily, Roady, Iris, and Violet in the film of Is That Skunk? My Little Skunk Stars! Good job by all and I hope another Skunk film will be in the making some time soon.
Maybe some one will take the challenge to show the gene difference between our domestic and wild skunks.
The show was great. You said to send our skunk stories… We have a Border Collie who was curled up sleeping on a patio chair directly outside the window from our dining room table. A bit into dinner we smelled skunk. I went outside and she was staggering out of the chair, obviously waking up, and with a yellow stain on her nose. I turned and saw the skunk slip out through the bars in the front gate 20 feet away. Despite the description on the program of all the skunk warnings, I think what happened was the skunk thought he’d seen another black and white skunk on the chair. When he came to visit, and was very close he realized it was a dog, panicked and fired off a salvo. Possibly the dog raised her head, but there was no barking or commotion, and she probably thought it was a cat, and she is friendly and lives with cats. She was 4 feet from us on the other side of the window, and as I said, by the time I opened the door in a few seconds, she was still stepping down from the chair in a daze, half asleep and stinky. I guess skunks can get trigger-happy sometimes.
Very interesting program as I’ve come to expect from years of watching Nature. Last summer four young skunks began visiting my yard every evening. Sometimes a few adults came along also. After about 2 months they all disappeared.
So as I was watching the program last night, one of my cats made a beeline toward the sliding door. I turned just in time to see a skunk moving away from the door and scampering off across the patio. If I didn’t know they have poor eyesight I’d swear it was out there watching the program too!!!
I loved the show. It was very informative. I am owned by one black & white. It was interesting to see the spotted skunk walk on its front feet. I was also glad that it was told that the skunks are not born with rabies. I’m hoping that more people will now start thinking of them differently. They make GREAT pets
I loved the skunk show, and hope you will do another one. It was educational and entertaining. I can’t decide on any favorite part, I enjoyed every second equally. It was interesting watching the skunk roll the stink-bug in the dirt, another animal that uses a tool to accomplish what it needs. I’ve had a pet skunk for almost 3 years, and know these are smart creatures. Deb C. and Skunkhaven has helped me and many others with care of our skunks. I’ve purchased the DVD, and will watch this program, many times again. Thank you PBS, and all that helped make this fine program. I watch many or your Nature programs, and hope you will have another skunk program in the near future. We have to hear what happened to Jerry Dragoo’s 4th skunk that didn’t want to leave.
It was a great video. I did not know that there are many kinds of skunks, what they eat, how they ‘operate’ their spraying ‘gun’.
I was moved by the scene where the four babies were released–and one opted to stay with the human.
The video changed my attitude in a sense that I started to wonder whatever happened with the skunks that I used to see a few years ago– but not recently. Urbanization..Here, in Houston, they build highrises in a park…I always wondered where the displaced animals went…Nowhere..They are all dead here..
I thought this was a great video. I’m so glad that there was an episode informing people about the truth about skunks and that they aren’t just what most people believe them to be. I actually did a research paper on skunks and keeping them as pets last year and my English teacher really liked it and said that she had learned a lot. I hope that in the future more people will be informed about skunks. Maybe keeping them as pets will even be legalized in more areas.
This was a great Nature show. Gives skunks a new leash on life but make people realize how much work they can be, but just as loveable. Great show..
F Murray Abraham, great narration :)
Really well done program. It’s nice to see something on the more common animals that people may see in their neighborhoods and parks. Enjoyed the humorous aspects, and looking at them from different points of view of their nature and behaviors. Very informative, I was pleased to see the episode return to the California town to explain why the skunks were there in such numbers, and their relationship to the stray cats. When you offer information though, such as the mixture of the skunk ‘de-scenting’ solution to use on sprayed pets, it would be helpful to see it listed on this website, and easy to find. Loved the program, really.
My family watched the show with our two female domestic skunks–three thumbs and two paws up! I really appreciated Jerry Dragoo’s debunkery of the rabies myth.
I was disappointed that Deb of Skunk Haven chose to feature a family with a small baby. Skunks are not appropriate pets for the very young.
As pets, they do pose challenges. They go through a “bitey” stage during their first year and require patience and discipline in getting them properly socialized. Skunks require very careful diet planning (no grains, careful phosphorous/calcium ratio, etc) and it’s difficult to find competent veterinarians who will work with skunks. (Fortunately I have a good one here in Oregon). In addition, due to popular misconceptions, skunk ownership is illegal in most US states.
A good place to learn more about domesticated skunks is Striped Bandits (google it!). Do your homework before you get a pet skunk, and look into adopting one of the many that were brought home and ultimately given up by well-intended but uninformed owners.
This show did a great job in bringing these fantastic, affectionate, intelligent, fascinating and very entertaining animals to light! Thanks!
Thank you for an episode that was not all “nature tooth and claw”, such as repeated shots of lions pulling down prey. Skunks are such endearing creatures, clever and funny. I especially liked watching the swimming skunk, and was just about overcome by the absolute cuteness of the orphaned baby skunks! Please have more shows like this, featuring less glamorous animals who are nonetheless just as fascinating and wonderful as the lions and tigers and bears.
I loved the show! I had never noticed how beautitul spotted skunks are. It was also interesting to hear that skunks and cats will eat together. My next door neighbor has found a possum sharing food in the kitchen with her cats. Please write up the anti-smell recipe: Hydrogen pyroxide, something, and detergent. And the amounts? Great show –
This was one of the best documentaries on skunks that I have seen. I love skunks and have nurtured a family of 6 when their mother was killed by a car. Kept them for 12 weeks before releasing them. I had one for several years as a house pet. Currently have a Raccoon as a pet for 22 years. I guess I am just a animal lover and protector.
Wendell T. Winegar
I love the Nature series, and this is one of my favorites of all time! Thanks for providing such quality educational and entertaining programming! Keep them coming!
Great episode, wonderfully narrated; I watched it twice!
To Pattie and others who requested the skunk ‘deodorizer’ recipe, I sniffed it out, & here is the text version, as described by Professor Wood:
http://www.humboldt.edu/~wfw2/deodorize.shtml
This was a fun and interesting show. When I was a kid, our neighbor had a pet skunk. She used to go out in the evening and walked it on a leash, just a like a dog! This was in the 70’s and she attracted a LOT of attention. Of course, I live in Ohio where it is still legal. I just watched the show yesterday since we had to record it for viewing at a different time. I paused it to write the Skunk Stink Neutralizer recipe for the people who asked. Here it is:
1 quart 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
¼ c Baking soda
1 Tsp detergent
Do not premix and store anywhere. Mix up fresh to keep pressure from building. Mix outside. Keep out of eyes. Leave on about 5 minutes and rinse off.
I learned alot and loved the show. I did not know there was so many colors of skunks. I found that very interesting. I thought skunks were only black and white! I would have like to seen more on domestic skunks. I did go to the http://www.skunkhaven.net web site to see a color chart there. I liked how the skunks backed down the other animals. Glad to hear what Mr Dragoo said about the myth on Rabies and skunks. Any mammal can get rabies if infected by the virus. Good job done by the filming crew and all involved. Will there be another film on domestic skunks? I read there is a Skunk Fest in Ohio that would be interesting.
Great program!! LOVE them skunkies.
Dear folks in Marysville California — PLEASE make Raccoon-proof feral cat feeders, and feed the feral cats (they should be TNR’d too) — because SKUNKS cannot jump and neither can Racoons!! WHY should the feral cats starve??? (they are there only becuz irresponsible humans originally dumped them or their parents there…..!)
Hope “Is That Skunk?” keeps making the rounds on PBS programming — and– PBS, you could also show it as part of your fundraising drive this year!!!!!
The ONLYpart I did not like was the part where they stopped feeding the feral cats (WHY???!!!!They are our brethren, just like the skunks are)
AND
where they BURNED all that gras– HOW many living beings sleeping in burrows got suffocated because of that fire????!!!
Great job PBS!! Your portrayal was positive, very educational and will provoke compassion for one of my favorite species! I learned many things from this documentary and it makes me proud to be a part of the team that assists our little stomping stink pots!
Job well done!
http://www.wildheartranch.org
I loved the show! I’m interested in learning about skunks after seeing one in my yard. I know they are misunderstood, and I think this episode went a good distance in teaching people what skunks are really like. I can’t think of a cuter animal, and I find them really interesting!
My family had several pet skunks over the years and my daughters even won grand champion in the local county fair’s pet show with Stinkerbelle and Sweetpea. I loved the show! One thing that always bothered me and I wish the program would have brought out this information is that just because a skunk is out in the daytime doesn’t mean it has rabies. So many people think that if they see a skunk during the day, it must have rabies and immediately try to kill them. My daughters tried putting a poster in the county fair one year comparing wild skunks to pet skunks. The judge didn’t even give them a chance. Actually, his comment was “skunks can’t be pets”. I feel terribly sad when I think of how many beautiful skunks were needlessly killed because of the general public’s ignorance! I hope this airs again so I can actually record it! Thanks!
I love the show, I have it saved on my DVR and have watched it three times now. To all the filming crew, you did a wonderful job! To Jerry Dragoo and Deb Cipriani, you guys are awesome and I want to sincerely thank you for all your hard work and dedication!
Thank you so much for this wonderful show on my favorite animals!! I’ve had skunks as pets for years and also work with Deb Cipriani and Skunkhaven and there were still some facts that I didn’t know!! It would be great if you did a show in the future about the domestic skunk! We would welcome your attendance at Skunkfest 09 on September 12th in North Ridgeville Ohio!! They are just wonderful animals and my house wouldn’t be complete without them!! My favorite part was watching Mr. Dragoo feeding the babies!! They’re so adorable!! Deb does a great job taking care of all the unwanted domestic skunks she’s truly an angel!! Thank you
I truly enjoyed the show. It was both entertaining and informative. I think my favorite part of the show was Dr. Dragoo “dis-arming” the rabies myth. Domestic skunk owners already know this, so hopefully now, more of the general public does too. Way to go, Jerry, thank you so much!!
I would love to see more shows on both the wild and domestic skunk. Thank you to everyone involved in the making of this film.
Great film! Nature has long been my favorite program, and this episode was one of the most fascinating. But, do skunks that have been raised by hand and returned to the wild approach humans more readily?
Nature does such a great job that I knew a doc about skunks would be classic. Fave part: all of the comments and anecdotes by the various “regular citizens” prove that everyone has a skunk story. I laughed out loud when that lady said they were like cartoon characters, because they are. Skunks regularly visit our urban backyard looking for grubs, not trouble, but when I accidently get too close in the evening, Boy do they stink!
thanks opb for being “more open minded”. i loved your commercial from a couple of years back showing a skunk as a beloved family pet, and i loved even more being able to watch an hour long show on skunks. they are truly a beautiful animal an my thanks to all of the people involved in bringing this wonderful documentary to us. you bet i will support my local public broacasting station!
i am also so happy to see such positive comments for these beautiful creatures. awesome!
Usually I am asleep on the sofa by early evening. Thanks for such quality broadcasting. I didn’t even yawn during this show!
I really enjoyed the show – very informative and they were adorable. I would love to have one as a pet, but wonder if they have an odor about them as a ferret does? Does anyone know?? Also, my daughter has a problem with her one dog – if there is a skunk around – - – this dog will find it – they gave a recipe for odor removal on dogs and I missed it (potty break) : ( did anyone catch it? She usually uses tomato juice, but this is a long haired german shepard, and it takes alot of juice!!!
Thanks for any info you can give me.
I wanted more about the skunks themselves, how they lived and such,
though the show was excellent overall.
My story? I came out of the building,
we lived in public housing, and there
was a skunk. It was dark and I thought
he was a cat so I went to pet him, he
stamped his little paws and raised his
tail and I kept coming. He scuttled
away. “Aww! Poor kitty!” I said, and
then he turned away. I did too.
No spray, I guess he took pity on
me going to get gas and didn’t give
me gas.
XD
To answer Vickie:
No, domesticated skunks do not have an odor like ferrets. Their “scent” glands are removed at a couple of weeks of age.
Before you get a pet skunk, please do your research, as it takes patience, some lifestyle changes, a special vet, a special diet, and time to raise a skunk. But to me it is all worth it. To do further research you should go to skunkhaven.net
The recipe was
1 quart of 3% peroxide
1/4 cup baking soda
1 TBS detergent
Mix this fresh, do not make ahead of time, it builds pressure. Mix it up outside, and pour it over your dog outside, avoid the eyes, let it sit on the dog for 5 minutes. Then rinse well
Living in Montana, I am fortunate in seeing many animals. Unfortunately, much of them are in the form of road-kill, and skunks seem to be a targeted species. Thank you for airing such a wonderful film and perhaps this recognition will result in a greater appreciation of animals who don’t have the GLAM factor.
I found it really interesting to watch this show. I actually live in Marysville-in fact, you can see my apartment and my car in most of the scenes. ;p Strange as this may sound it’s kind of sweet to see how loveingly people spoke of the skunks. Whenever my boyfriend and I come home the first thing we say is “God, do you smell that?!” It’s funny to see how something we sometimes take for granted is actually something some people truely care for. I definately appreciate them more, although not so much when they’re under may car…;p
Interesting piece on skunks, still dont want them around my neighbohood this spring and summer again. I entice any skunk lover to e-mail me this spring and summer and catch our skunks and take them to your house or area
Just watched the episode online after my husband came home from a business trip talking about it. I loved it! I’ve always thought skunks were kinda cute, but I really didn’t think much else of them…except how badly they smell when someone hits one on the road. I enjoyed seeing the different colors, especially the spotted skunk. I would have loved to see more of the skunk sanctuary in Ohio, & also to have found out if that 4th baby skunk finally struck out on its own in New Mexico…or did it stay with its surrogate mother, the scientist? Great show! Well done, amusing & informative. Thank you!
Your shows are terrific! However, it’s not every day that I get to learn a whole lot more about a common creature, one I’ve had several encounters with. Now I understand why so many of them wind up dead on the road (I narrowly avoided hitting one myself, one night)–since they don’t worry about predators that’s why they are so nonchalant and not paying attention. But, I also really was glad to hear the recipe for washing skunk spray off. When one of my dogs was skunked I had phoned a friend, a pest control expert and he told me, “Whatever you do, don’t use tomato juice, you’ll just turn your dog orange.” I never did get the odor out of the collar. We had a skunk spray right outside our window one night and the residual odor permeated the brick, remaining for years. Rain revived the smell for years and made it strong enough to be nauseating. I’d be curious as to how that could be. Thanks for your great shows!!
Very interesting and informative! Keep up the great work.
I loved this show because I have many skunks around my house. I live in the country and feed the birds. The skunks come at night to clean up the seed droppings. Since I have a “doggy” door close by, my Maltese have been skunked routinely every summer as they race out to scare the “animal in the yard”. Personally I have found them to be just as the show suggested; quiet, unassuming, and gentle. If I go outside without the dogs, they sort of just move on without any spray tactics. I had one once in my chicken coop (unused). I told him he could stay if he minded his business and didn’t spray us. He looked at me and listened like he really understood, and then the next day he was gone.
The show was not only educational about this much maligned animal, but had a gentle “loving” approach that I really liked.
Thank you for the program. I have always liked these little guys as they are so pretty. I had a momma and three little kits in my yard this last summer. I lament seeing where one has been run over by a car. A great program. Thanks, Sam
Strange show because we only got the video and the music but none of the human voices. People were talking, we could see that but there were no voices, only the music and the grunting sound of the skunks.
WE LIVE IN DEWEY JUST OUTSIDE OF PRESCOTT, AZ. HAVE BEEN HERE FOR 9 YEARS AND SHARE OUR 2 ACRES WITH A FAMILY OF SKUNKS. THEY LIVE UNDER OUR HOT TUB AND IN THE CULVERT IN OUR YARD. WE HAVE NEVER HAD ONE SPRAY. WE HAVE WALKED PAST THEM IN THEY YARD, EVEN OUR CAT HAS PASSES RIGHT BY THEM WITH NO PROBLEM. WE HAVEBEEN FEEDING THEM FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS. I SHAKE THE FOOD DISH WHEN I CME OUT AND THEY BACK OFF A BIT BUT DO NOT RUN AWAY. AFT I PUT THE FOOD DOWN THEY COME RIGHT OVER TO EAT. THE PALY AND ROLL AROUND TOGETHER, VERY CUTE, ESPECIALLY THE BABIES. WE HAVE NEVER HAD ONE SPRAY OR THREATEN. WE TRUST EACH OTHER.
I think skunks, whose natural diet is grubs, insects, berries, pine nuts, etc., deserve a place here on this beautiful planet. You’ve got to like a species whose only attack is a defensive smell. If more people saw this kind of television, they might look inward a bit more, and man might survive in harmony with the planet.
Actaually,i loved that show,so that was the first time i know there is some type of animal its called skunk and it has astinky(bad)smell for protect him or herself.When i was watching that program i was laughing ,cause of that thing.On the other hand,I learned something that is the skunks are almost can be live with us as apet animal.In addition,they have differnt type pf colors,i mean some of them are white,some of them are black,and some of them are white and black together.generaly i loved that show extramely.
You just fall in love with the lil’ stinkers! My favorite part was DEFINITELY the preparing to spray scene with the Spotted Skunk doing the front leg handstand. What awesome video! Hope the poor creature wasn’t actually upset for that shot, but it was amazing to see his athleticism (and cuteness!).
I was totally amazed at the fact that a rattlesnake will stop advertising it’s prescence in the vicinity of a skunk . Learned quite a few other things about them as well . Outstanding presentation , and thanks to those who help them .
I LOVED the show! It is so nice to see our little fur kids getting the kind of good press they deserve.
I’m a 3rd grade student, and am doing a report about skunks — this show helped me alot more than the books. I never knew they could do handstands amd swim as well. Also, they can spray in different directions, scare away mountain lions — and the liquid they spray is flammable! My favorite part was when they were bottle fed. There was nothing I didn’t like. Thank you!
WOW!
Another great reason to support public television!
I learned a lot about a familiar but mysterious animal. I have studied wildlife biology, in college, but have never learned as much about skunks as I did in one hour on PBS. Who knew they could swim? I was also amazed to find out how the scent glands work and that the lil stinkers can actually AIM the squirt and have control over if it’s a stream or spray! Learning more about skunks, and debunking some myths (like they don’t all have rabies) helps people appreciate this interesting, adorable animal. It may help protect them too.
I am definitely a “skunk fan” now!
As for the people who got so upset that the people in Marysville have a feral cat problem, why don’t you join/give to/volunteer at a local no-kill shelter so that you can be part of the solution instead of just griping? Feral cat problems happen in every city and state in the nation, and I was always taught that if it upsets me, I should do something about it. Maybe you could make it part of your New Year resolution or part of President Obama’s “Take Responsibilty” campaign. Just a thought…I’ll get off of my soapbox now!
Bravo PBS, another great program!!!
I loved this episode as I do every episode. I want to thank you for creating this great show.
AWESOME SHOW PBS! My favorite part: Seeing the CUTE BABY SKUNKS. The real story about skunks taught me a lot of things that I didn’t know about skunks. I never knew that cats and skunks could actually get along. I really want people to start treating skunks with respect. Skunks are really cool smart creatures. Thank you for making this episode. This episode is going to open peoples’ eyes. Once Again, AWESOME SHOW PBS.
Great show. The Skunk Lady and I were in touch more than a dozen years ago and she pretty much talked me out of having one as a pet. They’re still beautiful and mysterious creatures and proof-positive that Mother Nature has both a sense of humor and innate intelligence far beyond anything humans can piece together.
I like skunks, but your program (as another viewer mentioned) had a serious flaw — the soundtrack lacked voice narration and conversations until about the last 15 minutes or so. I could hear ALL other sounds, but no human voices! What happened? Do you have any plans to remedy this and rebroadcast the program? Please do!
AS a skunk owner i was happy to see this show on. i thought it was very good. but i also think that you should do another one that is more about domesticated one indstead of wild. let the world know that they are not bad pets. and i really wish there was something we could do to change the laws about owning them. I boust my skunk from a pet store in Ga and now they are saying that they are not legall to own i really wish i could make them change it but i just dont know how to make them see that they are not as bad as what everyone makes them out to be
Thank you for all this wonderful information. I have a love of all living creatures and thirst for knowledge concerning them all. We have had a skunk family living under our house for two years. We have three big Chow Chow dogs and one gets sprayed regularly. My husband is not home more than a fourth of the year so he doesn’t have to deal with our skunk family very much but when he does he isn’t very happy. Thank goodness your program showed me what we can do to make them leave and go back to the river area that we live near. I will be playing the radio for them soon this season. I walk our neighborhood at night and always see several skunks. They have never bothered me nor I them. They are just busy going about their business.
The information learned about the skunk,the different types, colors as well as their willingness to challenge man and all other animals, was eye opening. What I found amazing is the rattle snake feared the skunk? Who could have ever imagined? All those old wives tales, were debunked for me by this video. I enjoy Nature programming…Enjoyed this one immensely.
I remember all those spray parts from life
Very good. Good overall, general information on skunks. Interesting.
Thank you for this program on behalf of responsible skunk owners everywhere!