Jerry’s glasses took a direct hit from the skunk spray.

Well, now that you’ve seen the shot, you may be wondering just how we got it.

In late July, cinematographer Andrew Shillabeer and I traveled to Albuquerque, NM to film with skunk expert Jerry Dragoo. Our original plan was to film with Jerry around his home. However, unbeknownst to Jerry, Andrew had hatched a cunning plan.

We were going to get the most amazing close-up ever filmed of a skunk spray, and Jerry would help us do it.

Jerry outside, holding a skunk

The first consideration was where to film, as we had to insure that no one would be bothered by the stench of multiple skunk sprays. We found a spot outside Jerry’s house, below a large window. There, we built a platform which would comfortably support the skunk during our filming. We then aimed a pair of 1,200 Watt HMI lights toward the platform (from a distance), thoroughly cleaned the window, and checked for any reflections. It took over two hours to tweak this setup.

We placed our camera inside Jerry’s house and aimed out the window. Our camera would be just inches away from the skunk without being in harm’s way.

For filming, we used a Photron Ultima APX high-speed HD industrial camera (courtesy of Digital West Imaging). This camera is capable of filming 250,000 frames per second. To put this capability in context, your television plays at approximately 30 frames per second. That means that one second of real time shot with the Photron Ultima APX could be stretched out over 8,300 seconds (which is over two hours). However, to film at that high of a speed, we would have needed an incredible amount of light on our skunk, something akin to placing the sun right next to the platform. Obviously we weren’t going to do that, so we decided to film at 1,000 frames per second.

For the filming, Andrew would operate the camera, including focus and exposure, and I would trigger the record button once a skunk had sprayed.

As night fell, and with our preparations complete, we shot some tests using a water spritzer. We then brought out our first filming subject — a young skunk in Jerry’s care. The plan was to film the spray from inside Jerry’s house so as not to get hit. Jerry would then hold the skunk in position and attempt to get the skunk to spray.

The view from inside, behind the camera

Now, with your having seen our show, you’ve learned that skunks are extremely reluctant to part with their precious stink juice. They will only spray if threatened with eminent death.

Well, that’s not entirely true. We discovered via trial and error that there is another way to get skunks to spray without harming or scaring them.

—CAUTION: The following action should never be attempted by anybody other than Jerry Dragoo, ever. If you try to do what is described below, you will inflict significant injury upon yourself. You will also stink and be designated an idiot by loved ones and friends (which sometimes even happens with Jerry Dragoo!)—

Skunks do not like having their derrières blown upon.

Yes, you read that correctly. Skunks will spray you if you blow air on their behinds (from a small distance).

For our filming endeavors, Jerry took it upon himself to hold a skunk in a particular orientation on our makeshift platform, blow air towards the skunk’s rear end from about 4-6 inches away, have the skunk aim it’s stink cannons towards his face, and take multiple hits for the team on his person — including some in the eyes. It is an understatement to say we could never have filmed the spray shot without Jerry’s assistance.

The spray sometimes shot out of the skunk so fast that Andrew and I would miss it. Thankfully Jerry would call out “you got that?” after getting hit. We would stop the camera, review the footage, and then would download a subset of the 10,000 still images to a hard drive. On average, we were able to capture a single spray shot every 15 to 20 minutes.

After a couple of sprays outside, the odor started to seep through the seams of the window. However, it was never very bad. Andrew and I felt lucky that we weren’t outside with Jerry.

However, soon we discovered that we were not safe from the stench. Jerry was so excited by the thought of seeing a skunk spray in HD that he occasionally ran into our room to look at the footage. After one extreme spraying adventure, Jerry ran into our room, only to have all of the air in the room leave upon his entry. Andrew and I were brought to tears. I eventually had to dispose of the shirt I was wearing that evening, even though I never got within a foot of Jerry throughout the filming. Andrew had to do the same. Jerry’s eyes were watering all night, even though he couldn’t smell a thing.

After getting eight incredible slow-motion shots of skunk spray, we called it an evening. Jerry cleaned himself thoroughly, and all of the skunks we filmed were eventually released back into the wild.

So, the winner of the Skunk Spray Contest (as decided by Jerry Dragoo and myself) is….. Mark S. #53!! (Confetti falls, balloons fly, etc.) He was the only person who definitively said that Jerry Dragoo was involved. Joey #30 was close, but in this case, it just wasn’t close enough. Honorable mentions also go out to entries 1, 3, 11, and 15.

We’re happy you came to our Web site to let us know what you thought of the show and to also share your personal skunk anecdotes. Feel free to write in your questions anytime you’d like more information on skunks or on our production. And if you catch a fleeting glimpse of a black and white creature running away from you at night, or catch a whiff of that unmistakable odor, just remember that skunks are amazing, reclusive creatures and that you were lucky to experience a little bit of their world.

Sincerely,

James Donald, Producer

A skunk raises a warning flag. Photo by Jerry Dragoo

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.

This episode premiered January 25, 2009

At around the 29 minute point of Is That Skunk? you will see a shot that may simultaneously intrigue and disgust you. In fact, it may be the most disgusting shot ever to air on PBS. It is a close-up view of a skunk spraying, filmed in slow-motion HD.

There are a number of elements to consider when you see this shot. The first is that even though NATURE broadcasts are available in HD, they sadly lack a “Smellovision” feature. The second is that our camera seems to be REALLY close to the wrong end of the skunk. The third… and this is the kicker… skunks do not spray on command. There is no skunk in the universe that will spray if you command it to.

So, how did we film the skunk spray? Let us know how you think we got the shot by submitting your guess in the comments field below.

I will then reveal on Friday, January 30 how we really did it. On January 29, Jerry and I will pick the entry that gave the closest answer, and the winner will get a free copy of Is That Skunk? on DVD (along with significant bragging rights).

- James Donald, Producer

Maybe you’ve been the victim of a direct hit from the dreaded spray. Or maybe you love skunks, and even keep one as a pet. We want to hear your skunk tales — positive or negative.

Use the comment form below to share your skunk tale.

Then, tune in when Is That Skunk? premieres Sunday, January 25 at 8pm on PBS (check local listings).

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.

To order a copy of Is That Skunk? please visit the NATURE Shop.

Online content for Is That Skunk? was originally posted January 2009.

Photo credit: Cici Clark / © WNET.ORG

Deborah Cipriani of Skunk Haven, Inc. with some of her black and white charges.

After watching Is That Skunk? viewers may wonder: do skunks really make good pets? In the case of wild skunks the answer is no. But domesticated skunks, which have been bred in captivity for over 60 years, are known to be quite docile and loving.  Still, keeping a domesticated skunk happy and healthy is a lot of work, and so is acquiring a pet skunk in the first place. It is currently legal to own domesticated skunks in only 17 states: Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In most states where it is legal to own a pet skunk there are additional rules and regulations, and some require a special permit.

The most notable difference between wild and domestic skunks is the lack of scent glands. Domesticated skunks are descented when they are between two and five weeks of age, and grow up “unarmed.” While a relatively simple procedure, there is some debate as to whether or not descenting skunks is humane. Some argue that a descented skunk has unfairly been stripped of its natural defenses.

If a pet skunk is let out of the house or escapes, it may be in grave danger. Skunks can travel several miles a day, and unless found, a lost pet skunk is in trouble. Unlike cats and dogs, domesticated skunks lack homing instincts to find their way back. In addition, only skunks born in the wild learn the skills necessary to forage and hunt. Finally, without scent glands, domesticated skunks have no way to protect themselves from predators. Still, their biggest threat is the same as that facing wild skunks — cars. Motor vehicles are responsible for more skunk deaths each year than any other factor including disease, persecution by humans, and the rabies virus.

Though the myth persists that wild skunks have a disproportionately high rate of carrying rabies, unvaccinated domestic cats and dogs can contract the virus much more easily than skunks for the simple reason that most creatures, including rabid animals, avoid skunks and their stinky spray. Most of the laws prohibiting skunk ownership were put in place because of the fear that skunks are prone to rabies.

Skunks can be demanding eaters. Their natural diet is quite eclectic. Wild skunks eat anything from insects and snakes to fruits and veggies. Some skunks also have a taste for garbage. A pet skunk’s diet should include lean protein (chicken or fish), vegetables, some fruits, and cooked grains—all fresh. Skunks have trouble digesting processed foods.

In the wild, skunks are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk. Pet skunks can be trained to sleep during the night and be active during the day. When not sleeping, skunks need lots of love and attention. They are very playful, and require lots of stimulation. If left alone all day, they can get mischievous and even destructive. All skunks have long claws used for digging up worms, insects, and grubs. When raised in a house, pet skunks put their claws to use opening doors, cabinets, drawers, and even refrigerators. The house must be “skunk-proofed,” limiting access to the curious creatures. Pet skunks are also known to steal blankets, towels, sweaters, and other soft items that they bring to their sleeping den.

As seen in Is That Skunk? some skunk owners simply cannot take care of their pet and end up abandoning it.  Domesticated skunks are unique and sometimes rewarding pets, but they require a lot of specialized care. As with any pet, prospective skunk owners should think long and hard about whether or not they have the time and the resources to properly care for a skunk before purchasing or adopting one.

Photo: Cici Clark / © WNET.org

Jerry Dragoo with a striped skunk Photo: James Donald / © WNET.ORG

Striped skunks, Mephitis mephitis: Striped skunks are one of the most abundant and recognizable mammals in North America. They can be found in Canada, throughout the United States, and into northern Mexico. Part of what has made striped skunks such a successful species is their ability to eat almost anything—insects, small mammals and birds, vegetables, fruits, eggs, crustaceans, grasses, and carrion. They will even raid human garbage. Striped skunks are both solitary and nocturnal. Their characteristic fur pattern is a white strip that starts at the forehead and splits into a V shape as it travels down the skunk’s back. Skunks are born hairless, but their stripes are visible from birth. The length and width of stripes varies with each individual. There are also some skunks that are completely black or completely white.

Hooded skunks, Mephitis macroura: Placed in the same genus as the striped skunk, Mephitis, hooded skunks are similar in appearance to striped skunks, but have longer and softer fur, especially around the neck. They also have a longer tail. Like the striped skunk, hooded skunks will stomp with both of their front feet as a warning before spraying. There are three distinct color patterns in the hooded skunk. Some hooded skunks have a single, solid white stripe running down their back from their forehead to the tip of their tail, some have two thin white stripes running down the side of the body from shoulder to stomach, and some have a combination of these two patterns.

Spotted skunks will perform a front handstand when threatened. Image © WNET.ORG

Spotted skunks, Spilogale: Spotted skunks are the smallest members of the family. They are also more slender and have shorter fur. All skunks are good rodent hunters, but spotted skunks are especially good at capturing rats and mice. Spotted skunks are faster than other skunks, and because they are smaller, they can get into small holes and tunnels where rodents may hide. They are also the only skunks that can climb trees. When threatened, spotted skunks do a front handstand, which makes them appear much larger. The “spots” on their back are not actually spots, but a series of interrupted white lines.

Hog-nosed skunks, Conepatus: The elongated snout of the hog-nosed skunk is used to extract bugs and grubs from the ground. Hog-nosed skunks are excellent diggers, and they have long, specialized claws and impressive upper body strength. Their powerful forearms can be used to dig dens and climb up rocky slopes. Hog-nosed skunks can be found in the United States, Mexico, and Central and South America.

Stink badgers, Mydaus: The two species of stink badger are the only members of the Mephitidae family not native to North or South America. The Philippine stink badger can only be found on the islands of Palawan and Busuanga, and the Indonesian stink badger can be found on Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and North Natuna Islands. Like members of the skunk family, stink badgers have short, muscular limbs, elongated claws, a stocky body, and scent spraying anal glands. The most marked difference between stink badgers and skunks is the lack of a bushy tail. Stink badger tails are short and pointed. The Indonesian stink badger has extremely potent anal secretions that are green in color. Both species of stink badger resort to spraying as a second line of defense. Their first defense tactic is to feign death.