Evening star., 1944-08-23
This and That
By Charles Z. TraceUeH.
EAST FALLS CHURCH, Va.

Dear Sir:
Il am much concerned over the recent
visits of young skunk, which I first
noticed about week ago just after dark,
as 1 approached the back porch upon
my return from the garden
He did not seem to be unduly fright
ened, although he took to cover under
the steps, later going down the walk
toward the fuel house.
Il spoke to him, calling. kitty, kitty.
so he hesitated, but tried to get into the
woodhouse, later going toward the
porch, when he became lost to view.
He Is quite small animal, as skunks
go, black coat, with white stripe running
from head to bushy tail, and I am of the
opinion he is of the younger generation.
Il saw no more of him until last eve
ming, when he again disappeared under
the porch, and since it happened that I
had flashlight in hand, l could see
him disappear into a small opening in
the foundation.
Il haven't decided whether to try to
tame MIN Tor pet, or insist that he
seek other quarters for his annual hiber-
nation. but have not elected from him
any OF the odors for which he is famous.
I should be pleased to know whether
he is carniverous or herbiverous and
whether or not his presence is my pro-
lection against mice, as some one sug-
gested to me, and should welcome sug-
gestions concerning the wisdom of
tanning him.
Sincerely yours, o. E. c."
My advice, lady, IS to let him alone.
Pet skunks have been played up in
the papers, but 1t takes an expert to
handle them.
They make nice pets, when deodorized
properly, but they still remain menace
to chickens and wildbirds
The skunk is carniverous. eating a
few chickens, field mice, beetles and
grasshoppers. One skunk, 1t is said, will
clean up so many grasshoppers that
they cannot be counted. This makes
him one of the farmers best friends.
Experts tell us that the animal is a
professional at taking baby chicks from
under the mothers wing. Yet it can
be believed that only carelessness on the
part of the owner permits this depreda-
ton.
For the most part the skunk is a
helper Of mankind, rather than an
enemy. Though he likes chicken, he
gets 1t only now and then. Mostly his
diet is as stated.
Another thing against permitting one
to live in a foundation is that in the
spring the babies may be born there. and
then there will be six skunks, instead
of one.
Woodsmen say that it is a sight, to see
mother skunk leading her babies out
on nights food hunting expedition.
She takes the lead, and the young
come after her in single file, stringing
out for as much as Is feet.
The expert woodSman has a way of
dealing with young skunks. He creeps
up to the rear of the line, and suddenly
graSpS the last yOungSter by the tail.
He does this SO suddenly and silently
that the remainder of the family is un-
aware Of it. Skunks have practically
no voice. Once the animal is in the air,
it cannot use its ejecting gland
1t is said that only two or three drops
of fluid are elected, but these are in
spray form, and the resulting odor,
terrible beyond Imagination, will spread
for half mile.
The amazing thing is that the skunk
never gets bit of 1t on him!
Thus he is able to escape without
leaving any tell-tale odor on himself.
The musky secretion is yellow in color,
somewhat phosphorescent, probably
filled with vitamin B-2, which is ordi-
narily bright yellow ferment.
The skunk's secretion is not urine, but
special musklike oil which is elected
through special organ. 1t is said to
burn the skin like fire. and even to have
destroyed the eyesight of one unfu-
talnate hunter. ~.