Watch as a California town overrun with skunks deals with their furry problem, and see what life is like for an evolutionary biologist in New Mexico who runs one of the few sanctuaries for skunks. Meet a researcher on the sandy shores of Martha’s Vineyard who stalks her striped specimens at night, and a woman in Ohio who runs a shelter and adoption agency for abandoned pet skunks. Is That Skunk? paints a complete portrait of the misunderstood skunk family, Mephitidae, and the people who love them.
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This episode premiered January 25, 2009
(39 votes)
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A wonderfully entertaining and educational show. The cinematography was fantastic, as were the skunks of course. I’m glad someone finally made a documentary of one of America’s most misunderstood mammals.
~Wild skunk rehabber in California
http://www.AnimalAdvocates.us
Brilliant program. Thank you. Skunks are the most interesting and entertaining animals in north america. Hopelessly misunderstood.
Best Nature Video I have even seen. PLEASE do a Part two and focus more on the “Domestic” version.
As a skunk, It is about time we were shown to be a “Good” animal, not the mean, rabies caring rodent we are very unjustly portrayed as. Rabies is Phobia from Data collected in the 1970s and is very very unjustified and unsupported by the modern facts and data. No one condones taking a pet skunk from the wild, but USDA Domestic breed skunks make excellent pets, which if properly cared for have virtually ZERO percent chance of getting rabies, unless you have a bat in your house.
I agree on a film on domestic skunks. I always thought skunks were black and white. I loved looking at all the colors of skunks. So the domestics are bred by breeders? Are there many breeders in the US? Do they all breed colors?
This is a WONDERFUL documentary that puts a face, a soul and a personality on some of the most misunderstood critters – Skunks. Skunks are just a cute, lovable, resourceful and vital to Mother Earth as are all of Mom Nature’s other critters. Thank you Deb, Jerry and all the wonderful people who love and care for skunks, whether they are domestic or wild skunks.
The world is a MUCH better place when we realize that we are ALL connected.
After all, “Anima” is the Ancient Latin Word for “Soul”, and truly the soul of the skunk is a most worthy addition to the panorama of existence in this world.
An amazing contribution. I see a hidden message that we often create things we don’t exactly like but must live with it none-the-less. Skunks simply do well because we keep providing for them by creating habitat edges they thrive in. We only have ourselves to blame, yet it’s not a bad thing to have these animals around..
Way to go Jerry and NOVA for their job on this program and our knowledge of these animals.
That was the best and most informative Nature show I have ever seen. I’m so glad that finally someone is showing the GOOD side of these beautiful intelligent creatures. I would not trade my pet skunks for anything!
Another wonderful NATURE progarm! I was not at all surprised by the connection between the feral cats and the unusually large population of skunks in Marysville. As an aside, did the citizens of Marysville consider a TNR—trap, neuter and release—program, a humane and effective method for controlling/stabilizing the feral cat population? If [they] are interested, there is ample info re TNR on the Internet or from Alley Cat Allies (as well as numerous other related non-profit groups).
[...] a whole lot more are over at the PBS website, where you can see the nifty Nature program Is That Skunk?. We saw it the other night, more or less by accident. All my anecdotal observations confirmed; [...]
Excellent program. As a professional wildlife controller a lot of good information was presented not only on the skunks themselves but as to why an individual may experience issues with them. The only suggestion I have is to show more of what to do when a skunk is encountered and the steps that homeowners can take themselves or have done to prevent future problems.
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR DOING THIS VIDEO! Its about time everyone knows that skunks make great pets
I have 2 pet skunks and now that that im a skunk mom, I will alway’s have skunks as pets in my life!
They are so cuddly, loving, funny and warm.
Can you put this video on Animal Planet fpr more people to watch? Please make a skunk video 2.
o my goodness!I love skunks!they are so cute and the purfect pet i wish one day i can hlp them and own a couple when i grow up! Skunks rox my sox!!!
Well done, Nature. Attitudes are everything. A lot of the odor of skunk spray is in the mind. Yes, I concede it is a strong odor, but it is only fouler if you anticipate it to be so (and we are socialized to believe it is horrible and thus are not disappointed). If you change your mindset, you change the effect. For example: when you encounter road kill skunk, instead of immediately going “PU!”, try thinking about the fact that this odor was the skunk’s swan song; its raised fist against the terror that killed it. Respect that odor instead of shun it — surprisingly, it doesn’t smell as bad as it did (I’m not saying it doesn’t smell bad — just not AS bad).
Wonderful show! Never had a problem with skunks but raccoons are another story! Those feisty little buggers laugh at you!
My favourite animal, but sadly I’ve never seen one in real life. Watching this lovely documentary I’m almost tempted to up sticks and head over to the States to run a skunk sanctuary!
Now i know more about skunks and knowing is half the battle.
The one thing that did surprise me about this program is that skunks are now considered separate from the weasel family. That they are intelligent, resourceful, and adaptable are facts I expected. Like the coyote and racoon, skunks thrive in proximity to humans, and this shows just how versatile they really are.
I live in Marysville, CA, and the little critters are rather odoriferous, especially during the summer when windows are open. They really are adorable, the only problem I have with they is that they burrow in levees, which are crucial for our safety.
Wonderful show! I agree about a part two regarding domesticated skunks. It is true – they get a bad rap. We had a mom and babies living under our house once. We just ignored them and avoided sudden noises in the areas adjacent (no lawn mowing, etc) and they moved out and on their way. I have wanted a pet skunk all my life – maybe someday – in the meantime, more shows!! :) Thanks for such high quality programming on the Internet!
maybe those skink can do the staky leg ,because those skunk are stanky as hell.stankyer then 1,000,000,000,000 spoil boobooo.
Thank you for doing this piece, on perhaps the most misunderstood animals in the back yard. I “Discovered” skunks, upon rescuing one from the pool one morning. Near death, my wife and I were able to get it’s body temp back, and revive him. Now we are at the stage of hand feeding a half dozen skunks who frequent the back yard at night.They are very willing to sit in your lap, for bits of cheese. I find them to be very intelligent, and creatures of learned habits. With that knowledge, I have been able to teach them some tricks….or did they teach me…..Oh, never mind. They enjoy being brushed, and doing there tricks for rewards. Nice to discover I am not the only one with this endeavor.
I live in Beaverton, Oregon and i used to ride my mountain bike during the middle of the night over a park called Fanno Creek, so encounters with skunks where usual for me every night, somehow the skunks never sprayed that stinky smell on me, my bike has 2 powerful Trek headlamps allowing me to see what was in front of me at a distance of 90 yards, and the skunks never were scared or ran away, at the beginning i was littlebit afraid of being sprayed but after while seen ‘em everynight i just started feeling comfortable with ‘em, skunks are not mean or behave bad at all, very interesting known that some people are helping understand skunks more deeply, thanks.
STINKS! Which, for this program, is meant as a good review ;)
Yes, skunks are intelligent, independent and much maligned creatures of this world. I am a rehabber and have enjoyed them immensely. Once they earn your trust a skunk will not spray you. They love watermelon, and oh, do not feed them cat food. They are not related to cats and it is bad for them. Dog food on the other hand is the better choice of food along with lots of veggies which is their natural food in the wild.