page_title: Skunk
section_title: As pets
hierarchical_section_title: Skunk / As pets
caption_attribution_description: Pet skunk in kitchen
context_page_description: Skunks are North and South American mammals in the family Mephitidae. While related to polecats and other members of the weasel family, skunks have as their closest Old World relatives the stink badgers. The animals are known for their ability to spray a liquid with a strong, unpleasant smell. Different species of skunk vary in appearance from black-and-white to brown, cream or ginger colored, but all have warning coloration.
context_section_description: Mephitis mephitis, the striped skunk, is the most social skunk and the one most commonly  kept as a pet. In the US, skunks can legally be kept as pets in 17 states. When a skunk is kept as a pet, its scent glands are often surgically removed.  In the UK, skunks can be kept as pets, but the Animal Welfare Act 2006 made it illegal to remove their scent glands.
caption: A tame striped skunk
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