The Skunk. 



The Skunk in its wild state is nearly domestic 

 and much prefers to live under houses and barns 

 to almost any other place, especially is this so in 

 severe cold winters, when placed in an inclosure 

 they soon become perfectly contented with their 

 new abode. All they seem to want is plenty to 

 eat and drink and a warm place to sleep when the 

 weather is cold. At this season of the year they 

 hibernate for several days at a time, these periods 

 are of short duration, however. 



The Skunks are always fat, kill them at any sea- 

 son of the year and you will find them in good 

 condition. If taken young they will become tame 

 as kittens. I have one now that I have had near- 

 ly two years, it was brought to me when it was a- 

 bout four weeks old and when young it would fol- 

 low me around like a puppy. 



It never scents, it is the sudden fright or motion 

 that startles them and causes the offensive odor. 



They breed readily in captivity and take the 

 very best of care of their offspring, having from 5 

 to 9 at a litter. On account of the great demand 

 for the r fur, in this and foreign countries, they are 

 decreasing quite rapidly. 



Their chance of escaping the hunter is small as 

 they are not swift on foot and after traveling for a 

 while they go in an old woodchuck's hole or un- 



