Skunks

Skunks are related to the polecat and weasel family, and are from North and South America. These distinctive, black-and-white mammals are especially well known for their ability to spray a liquid with a strong, unpleasant smell as a defence mechanism.

Did you know:

Skunks famous smell is actually a last resort they can only spray 6 times before they run out of the potent smell which takes 2 weeks to refill leaving them pretty defenceless, so they will often stamp at potential predators first to warn them off.

Skunks are omnivores eating fruit, nuts, vegetables, small mammals, insects and the occasional egg.

Skunks live up to 6/7 years in the wild but can double their age in captivity.

Skunks often attack bee hives their thick fur protects them from the stings making bees a delicious treat.

Snake bites don’t kill skunks as they are immune to snake venom!