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Eau de skunk - don't skunks stink?
The thing that makes skunks so feared throughout the animal kingdom is their ability to shoot a noxious musk. They aim for the eyes to temporarily blind their predators while they get away! Fortunately, the a**l glands which perform this action can be removed and are in all pet skunks at about four weeks of age. Skunk owners may be eccentric, but we're not insane. Having a skunk with intact a**l glands in the house would be much like having a loaded gun inside.
So no, pet skunks don't stink, Mozzarella usually smells like baby shampoo, carrots, and chicken! Of course in order to keep her sweet-smelling, we need to make sure we clean his litter pan and bedding frequently, the same you would do for a cat or rabbit, or even a ferret!
Aren't skunks born with rabies/Don't all skunks have rabies?
Of all the questions I see about skunks, this is the one that just completely confuses me. Rabies is a disease. In order to have rabies, an animal has to be exposed to it. The same ways that dogs and cats aren’t born with/perpetually infected with rabies, neither are skunks. As long as pet skunks are kept inside, away from sources that may infect them--other animals, eating infected carcasses, etc.--they are not a rabies risk.
What do pet skunks eat?
In the wild, Mephitis mephitis are omnivores and scavengers. Their diet consists of insects, baby birds and mice, and fruits and vegetables. However, wild Mephitis mephitis only live about two to three years.
It's been discovered that when domesticated Mephitis mephitis are fed a primarily vegetarian diet consisting of vegetables and grains, they can live on average ten to fifteen years, with some critters lasting into their twenties.
There are two main schools of thought on skunk diet on the Internet. One says that their diet should consist of 50% raw veggies and fruits, and 40% of something called "Skunkie Delight." Skunkie Delight is a blend of raw chicken/turkey, millet, and various vitamin and nutritional supplements. The other says that their diet should consist of 90% raw veggies and fruits and some cooked chicken/turkey/other protein source. When compared side-to-side, the diets are pretty close. Vegetables make up the majority of the diet and the rest is protein.
Mozzarella is on a mostly vegetarian diet. She had two seizures, and her food is blended/grated –depending on our moods—and her protein is normally a few pieces of dog food. Though she enjoys tuna and chicken just ask much! She also has noodles every now and then.
Can skunks be litter pan trained?
Oh goddess yes! Skunks can normally be liter trained immediately! Mozzarella didn’t do so good when we first brought her home. She was on an all liquid died (bottle fed) so she ‘leaked’ every where. Once she started her solid food diet, she chose a few corners of the house (Two in the bedroom, one in the computer room, and one in the living room) and we put litter pans there. As long as they are clean, she goes in her pan every time!
The reasoning for two in the bedroom is because when we are sleeping, she may have to go two or three times and we won’t know and can not clean the pan (for we are asleep). Id she just piddles, she doesn’t mind using the same pan twice. But is she makes a poopie, she goes to her other pan on the other side of the room for her next potty break. I have no problem with that.
How big do they get?
As with all animals, there's quite a range in size. But, on average, skunks tend to be between eight and twelve pounds. We've heard of five-pound skunks as well as fifteen pounders.
Do you have to spay/neuter a pet skunk?
If you don't spay or neuter a skunk, they become aggressive and not at all fun to be around. An un-spayed/un-neutered skunk is not a good pet. It also endangers the health of female skunks to go into heat without being bred. We've heard of one case where a female skunk wasn't spayed early enough and went into heat and, despite heroic efforts to get her out of heat, she died within a year.
The recommended age is by three months of age for a male skunk and by four months for a female.
Are they legal?
Before getting a pet skunk, check with your local rules and regulations to find out if they are legal where you are and if you need a license or permit. In Pennsylvania, they are legal with a permit that comes from the LICENCED breeder. In New York (Where my dad lives and we almost moved to for a few reasons), they are illegal.
Some states will let you keep a skunk if you moved from a legal state, but you need a license for it. Not all states will allow this. If you find yourself having to get rid of a skunk because you are moving, avoid shelters and contact Skunk Haven. Deb owns and runs a skunk ‘shelter’. (www.skunkhaven.net) She also has a lot of information on skunks!
What made you decide to get a skunk?
What made you decide to get a [place pet here]?
Skunks are great pets! They are loyal, cuddely, quiet (mostly). After some training, they are actually more loyal than dogs, but independent like a cat. They are mostly hypo-allergenic, and playful. Great with other pets and kids, and…well…just great!
What colors do they come in?
Most people are only aware of skunks as black and white creatures, but domestic skunks come in a wide variety of colors and patterns. From mahogany, to chocolate, to apricot, to blond, to albino, to lavender, from the "classic" pattern with the broad white stripes down the back, to chips and swirls where there's extra white bits thrown in, to shooting star markings, to black-eyed whites. They come in just about every color and pattern except for blue and green plaid.
Mozzarella is a classic chip/swirl. A chip means she has white marking on her elbows, and swirl means she has swirl/marble markings. (She has these on her belly)
Does she bite?
-No -lies-
If a skunk bites you and it is reported, it is required by law for the skunk to be taken and tested for rabies. The only way to test is to cut their brains open! (I'm not joking) There is no rabies shot for skunks, and even if you can prove that the skunk has no rabies, it will be taken. Never has there been a case of rabies in a domestic skunk
Have a question?
PM ME OR COMMENT! I will get back to you ASAP with an answer, and your question will be used on the profile/blog/where ever I have a skunk FAQ! Your question will also be printed out once I get more printer ink so I can just give people a packet so they let me shop already! >_<
I've gone to the gas station and taken her in with me (She is only three months old, so she sits in my pocket or on my shoulder when I go somewhere) and I get the privilege of talking to the clerk for a half hour while my car is sitting out there, blocking other people from getting gas (and myself!)
At knoebles (an amusement park) I was eating Pizza and Mozzarella (skunk) was eating her vegges, and these people stared at us for about a half hour. Talk about rude and awkward! It's the whispering people that piss me off. 'Get your camera! It's a skunk! etc'. If you want a picture, ask me. I can hold her so you can get a decent one, or I can e-mail ya one...jerks
 electr0pos · Fri Aug 03, 2007 @ 12:12pm · 0 Comments |
