Most humans armed with the powerful defense that God gave the skunk might well be arrogant bullies and tyrants, yet the lowly skunk is far from fitting into this role. They, in spite of their powers, continue to be the gentlest and least aggressive creatures in the woods. Our domestic skunks are much the same, though more loving and devoted to their owners. They have been bred in captivity for over seventy years and have been free of the rabies virus for the same period of time. They come in a variety of colors, other than the black and white with which we are all so familiar, ranging from snow white to a deep rich coffee brown.
Skunks are capable of making a number of sounds, but ordinarily are silent.
Occasionally, one will scold if it is alarmed or disturbed, or will make a low grunting sound. It can growl, snarl and twitter like a bird. Most naturalists will insist that skunks cannot climb, and are not known for speed. I live with domestic skunks and I can assure you, they can and do climb and are as fast as lightening when they don't want to be caught. Domestic skunks kept as house pets are clean, loving and a continous source of wonder and amazement to everyone fortunate enough to have one or more of these truly magnificent and loving creatures in their lives.