The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1885-06-16

An Interesting Description of the Habitat
and Habits of the Mephitis Mephitica-
An Odorous Topic.

An Interesting Description of the Habitat
An Odorous Topic.
7 The common skunk (Mephitis nlephi-
tica) is found from Mexico TO the Arctic
regions. and is everywhere too well
known to need description its black
and white color, peculiar habits, and
especially its power of emitting an in
tensely fetid odor at will, at once dis
tinguish it. The skunk has thirty-four
highly developed carnivorous teeth.
This species is in more ways than one
the enemy of the farmer; it has very
decided penchant for eggs. and in some
localities lisa frequent invader of che
chicken house. Its appetite for poultry
is also excellent, but its slow and CLUMSY
motions make it but an inditferens
poacker in this direction. 1t kills large
numbers of the common rabbit, and de-
stroys great number of prairie hens
and ruled grouse by eating the eggs
of these birds. In hard times the skunk
is glad TO content itself with insects,
frogs and mice. This is very prolific
species, there being from five to nine
Young in each litter; they are born in
the early spring, in rude nest built at
the inner extremity of the shallow bur-
row dug by this animal. These bur-
rows are much more easily dug out
than those of the fox, being seldom
more than two feet under ground, or
more than nine feet in extreme length,
and having generally but a single en-
trance. At the end of the gallery is a
large excavation, and here in large
nest of leaves from six to adozen in
diyidualS of this species may be found
living in the winter time. Although the
skunk does not strictly hibernate, it
seldom leaves its burrow during the
winter season, and is at this time dull
and inactive. but by no means asleep.
The intolerable odor for which this
animal is so Justly notorious, is not, as
is sometimes supposed, derived from
the secretion of the kidneys, but is the
product of two large glands stu
ated in its rear, and opening
outwardly by two small ducts. The
fetid scent is contained in a slightly |
yellowish. transparent fluid, said to be
in the dark, which is |
secreted by these glands. This fluid !
the animal can. BY means of a strong |
muscle round the gland, squirt to the
distance of ten or more feet, and its |
aim is painfully accurate, the noisome |
fluid almost invariably saluting an |
enemy in the face and eyes. Men have
been known to be made almost blind by |
such an encounter, the irritating fluid |
q most. violent ophthalmia. |
Dogs also are ut times made violently |
Ill, and have their eyes severely inflamed |
as the result of their attacking skunk |
This nauSeouS fluid has been used to |
some slight extent in medicine, ono
drop doses three. times q aav having
been given with marked benefit in eases
of asthma, and , tincture of it bottled
has been used rs a sort of smelling
spirits, it being applied to the nose
when an attack of asthma was threat
ened. However the general verdict OF
the patients has been that she cure was
worse than the disease.
The skunk has many enemies.
Wolves, foxes, the wildcat and the
panther all prev upon it, and several
kinds of large Eight owl capture and
eat it whenever opportunity offers; a;
it is a strictly nocturnal animal. il
probably but seldom falls a victim tc
any species of hawk. Several tribes OF
Indians eat the skunk and pronounce II
equal to opOsSCm, and much superior
to the flesh of the raccocn. Doubles:
such is the case, as the animal is usually
very fat. This lEsmelling weasel is 3
slow. clumsy and stupid animal. and is
easily captured in any sort of trap. II
IS perfectly possible to kill the animal
without its being in the least tainted
by its peculiar fluid. If shot behind
the shoulder with 3 good charge OF
heavy shot, and so killed instantly,
little or no odor is sppreciable. and il
caught in heavy dead fall. and so at
once crushed to death, ones nostrils
are not at all outraged. and it is a more
pleasant animal 10 skin than a recently
killed mink. The skunk has frequently
been tame6t-itS odoriferous glands be-
NC destroyed by an operation-and
makes a gentle and playful pet. becom-
ne very fond of those who feed and
,aress it.-Ralph W. Seiss, tn Country
Gentleman