16 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [14:1— Jan., 1918 



is a somewhat similar animal, called the "zoril," in South Africa. 

 and another in Egypt. Ten species of the skunk have been dis- 

 tinguished. It is a misnomer to call it a polecat, for the real pole- 

 cat is an European animal resembling the ferret and preying on 

 poultry. 



There are from five to seven skunks in a litter, which, in the 

 northern states, is born in May. The family remains together for 

 about a year. Through the severest months it hibernates in its 

 burrow. Two or three families often live together, it seems, for as 

 many as twenty skunks have been taken from one burrow. 



The dens are sometimes of the skunks' own making and some- 

 times those abandoned by other animals. Skunks often excavate 

 dens in ordinary soil, but if they can find a natural cavity among 

 the rocks, they promptly take possession. They sometimes make 

 their abode under houses or even in a house in some obscure nook, 

 being attracted by the warmth of the building. 



In summer the skunk leaves its burrow at sunset and busies 

 itself catching grasshoppers and beetles until dark. Then it is 

 obliged to rely upon its senses of smell and hearing to locate its 

 prey. These are so keen it can detect beetles and larvae in the 

 soil. 



The skunk itself is the most silent of animals. The only sound 

 naturalists have heard it make is a low, impatient grunting, which 

 has been compared to the sound produced by beating one's hands 

 with a whisk broom. 



Take Frequent Baths 

 Skunks are frequent bathers, but they always prefer shallow 

 water. They never swim unless obliged to. One marked trait of 

 this much abused little animal is its almost feminine curiosity. 

 This curiosity frequently leads it into predicaments that would 

 mean death for any creature less well equipped defensively. And, 

 despite its enemy, man, it is unsuspecting and lacking in cunning. 

 This accounts for the large number trapped. Since it is prac- 

 tically immune from the attacks of other animals, it leads a 

 comparatively easy life, moves about in a leisurely manner and, 

 like many men, takes on fat and loses its agility when the heyday 

 of youth is past. 



