If the unknown adversary is still present, the skunk will then spray its potent musk, made of a chemical substance known as mercaptan, up to twelve feet. The skunk can spray repeatedly seven or eight times. Once is usually enough, as it rarely misses its target. The glands for this are on either side of the anus. The skunk has extremely poor eyesight, and it is no wonder that it might behave aggressively.
Skunks see well up to only about three feet.
It probably cannot even SEE its attacker. This helps us understand a little better why the skunk acts so defensively. Mercaptan is unique in its chemical composition. Among other things, it contains trans-Butenyl thiocetate, which was never discovered before. 2- Quinolineme thanethiol, a substance made in the lab, but never discovered in nature until the skunk s musk was analyzed.