A skunk's tail is long and bushy. Most of the head and body are glossy black. A narrow white stripe extends from the top of the nose to the forehead. A white patch on the back of the neck tapers into a single white stripe that extends to the shoulders then splits into two stripes that continue down the top or sides of the back. Other markings include some white hairs in the tail and occasionally a small white patch on the chest.
Skunks discharge an obnoxious scent when provoked.
This scent or musk is secreted by two internal glands located at the base of the tail. The glands open to the outside through small nipples which are hidden when the tail is down and exposed when it's raised. A skunk has voluntary control over the glands and can control the direction in which the musk is discharged. The glands contain about 1 tablespoon of thick, volatile, yellowish, oily liquid. The compound is painful to the eyes, but does not cause permanent blindness.