The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1941-09-04
Skunks VoIuobIe
Animals for Formers;
Nice Pets

Nice Pets
Calling man skunk, ought to
be a compliment instead of a slur.
That, at least, is the opinion of
officials of the Fish and Wildlife
Service, United States Department
OF the Interior, who claim that the
much-maligned "polecat" in reality
is patient animal that may make
a good pet and, atpthe same time, is
economically important.
A Fish and Wildlife inventory of
the fur catch in the United States
last year indicates that some 2,170,-
600 skunks were trapped in 36
states and the pelts sold al fur auc-
tons. The Federal officials believe,
however, that the annual catch in
the entire country is probably 30 to
SO per cent greater than the report
ed take, or an estimated to 212
million skunks year.
In February 194l, one large fur
auction company sold skunk pelts
from IS cents for small ones to
$500 each for prime large north
ern pelts
"Skunks are mostly beneficial to
man" Service officials declared.
"They are important to agricultural
interests because they feed on in
sects, chiefly beetles and grasshop-
pers, grubs and other forms of
pests
| Excellent mouse and rat hunters,
skunks are welcomed around barns
and in the fields where field mice
and rats like to feed on grain.
Sometimes the skunk is not a
welcomed guest, the Wildlife Of
ficials admit, especially when the
| "polecat" lives near or under the
farmhouse. But such individuals
can easily be controlled without
disposing of Them it was ex-
planned
| In some restricted sections, par
ticularly on waterfowl and certain
upland game nesting areas. the
skunk becomes Objectionable be-
cause of its depreciation on nests. A
serious egg robber in game areas,
the skunk is controlled by large
scale trapping operations.
Contrary to popular opinion the
skunk is not an aggressive animal
who launches an attack at the drop
of a hat-or at the raising of a
| tail. Scientists say that most skunks
are easy going individuals that dis
i like using the powerful fluids they
can eject.
Skunks will put up with a sur
prising amount of abuse on most oc-
casions before they lose their tenn
per and spray their powerfully
scented musk. But persons are not
encouraged to experiment with 9
skunks patience.
When a skunk lets 60 with an at.
tack, no place within two or three
yards of the animal is safe from
4 the fluid. One attack does no
empty the gland sac. The skunk cal
defend itself three or four time
in rapid succession. Usually ont
shot is enough for any Would-be
intruder.
80 Kinds OF Skunks
There are three principal groups
of skunks, the more common being
the small spotted skunk and the
large common skunk. In all there
are about 80 recognized kinds ir
the three groups.
Caught for their fur by young
boys as we'll as professional trap
pers. skunk pelts command varying
prices. AS the width and length o
the stripes decrease the price o
the pelts increases Solid blacl
pelts bring top prices Since tn
fur of the skunk becomes prime il
fall. this is the best, time CT year tt
trap the animals and obtain tn
highest price for the pelt
Nocturnal in habit, skunks ar
seldom seen during the daytime
The young in litter range from
to 10 with an average sized litter
That skunks are amiable. animal
has been proved by many individ
uals who have captured young one
and raised them as pets around tn
home. These animals have show
themselves to be intelligent and q
playful as cats. Persons who hav
, not trusted the skunk's discretio
and control have descended the ami
mails. This requires bit of mino
surgery that makes the animal IN
, capable of discharging musk.
: Some persons have used skunk
J as "watchdogs' to keep intruder
away from homes. Even the mo:
fearless thief avoids the skunk.
few years ago an ingenious ma
who was tired of having valuable
stolen from his car captured
young skunk, descended the anima
and raised it as pet. Whenevt
the man used his automobile,
carried the animal with him. Aftt
parking his car, he tied the skun
to the steering wheel His car W;
II