The Striped Skunk

By Al Lowe
Contributor

Mephitis mephitis. Do you recognize the name? Not likely. It is the scientific name of the common skunk, officially the Striped Skunk. There are eight species of skunk in North America, but for all practical purposes, the only one found in Canada is the one we all know. He makes his home in almost all of Canada from B.C. to the Maritimes, and from the Yukon to the border.
The skunk is a much maligned animal who doesn't deserve the bad reputation he has. Just because he smells bad doesn't mean that he really is bad. Skunks are quite beneficial in most areas. Among other things, they eat mice and other destructive small mammals. They also eat a great many insects, particularly grubs which live just below the ground. Those holes in your lawn are made by skunks which are after the larvae of the June Beetle. since these grubs are living on the roots of your lawn grass, you would be well advised to patiently repair the holes, and remember that you will have a better lawn next year. Skunks also eat a lot of berries, nuts and so on, as well as grasshoppers, beetles and other insects, frogs, crayfish and snakes. At times, they will eat eggs and young birds when they come across them.
The skunk is a member of the weasel family. All members of this family have well-developed scent glands, but the skunk has perfected these glands into its major defence. It has two glands at the base of the tail. From these, it can direct the evil-smelling liquid with great accuracy, up to about 20 feet. The skunk does not spray unless it is really provoked or frightened. All you need to do when you meet one is to act politely, and to move away slowly. He will always do the same.
The liquid is a sort of gluey oil, and it is not affected by water alone. A mixture of household detergent and vinegar is said to be quite effective. The old-fashioned method of bathing yourself or your dog in tomato juice seems to be still the most reliable method of getting rid of most of the smell. The skunk nearly always gives you some warning that he is annoyed with you. He will stamp his feet, growl or hiss, and he may even stand up on his two front feet. If he does any of these things, you would be wise to back off.
The skunk sometimes does get into henhouses - eggs are a real delicacy to him. They will take chicks and ducklings if they get the chance, too. In some parts of the prairies, they prey rather heavily on wild ducks - again eggs and ducklings. There are some areas in which skunks are carriers of rabies. But these are the only bad aspects of having skunks around. Most biologists now say that the skunk is about 85 - 90% beneficial, and only a little bit destructive.
So when you see a skunk, treat him with respect and let him go on his way. He is really doing you a good turn, in spite of his bad smell.