6 



farmers* bulletin 587. 



short lateral gallery, end in a rounded chamber containing the nest, 

 a bed of leaves or dried grasses. Occasionally there are two entrances 

 to a den. 



In northern latitudes skunks lie housed in their dens during the 

 coldest part of winter, but in mild weather they move about freely 

 in search of food. Usually a considerable number occupy the same 

 den, possibly members of a single family of the preceding summer; 

 but sometimes the number seems too great to be only one family. 

 As many as 20 have been captured at one time from a single den in 

 winter. 1 When thus disturbed skunks are found lively enough to 

 prove that hibernation is not complete. As spring approaches the 

 animals mate, and the pairs betake themselves to separate establish- 

 ments. In the South this gregarious habit is not so marked, although 

 the young usually remain with the mother until mating time in late 

 winter. 



Skunks are mainly nocturnal, but when not harassed by enemies 

 they often hunt in broad daylight. They usually come out about 

 sunset and spend the summer twilight in catching grasshoppers and 

 beetles by springing upon them with the fore feet as the insects rise 

 from the ground in flight. After dark the skunk depends upon its 

 senses of smell and hearing to locate its prey. It digs many beetles 

 and their larvae from the ground, leaving the surface thickly pitted 

 with small conical holes where the insects were obtained. 



SCENT GLANDS. 



Skunks, in common with other members of the musteline family, 

 have glands which secrete an extremely nauseous fluid. These con- 

 sist of two oval sacs, located just beneath the skin below the base of 

 the tail, one on each side; they are covered by muscular envelopes 

 and open to the surface through ducts, one leading from each sac. 



When the animal is on the defensive it elevates its tail and by con- 

 tracting the muscles about the glands ejects the fluid through the 

 ducts in two tiny streams of spray. A large, vigorous animal has 

 been known to throw the fluid nearly a rod, but the ordinary distance 

 is from 6 to 10 feet. The liquid is sufficiently acrid to cause nausea, 

 and, if it strikes the eyes, to produce temporary blindness. Skunks 

 use this peculiar and effective means of defense only when attacked 

 or badly frightened. 



The persistence of skunk odor in anything touched by the fluid 

 is remarkable. Clothing after contact with it is sometimes entirely 

 ruined. Washing in chloride of lime or gasoline will remove the 

 odor from one's hands, but chloride of lime will spoil the colors of 

 most fabrics. Probably the best plan for removing the odor from 

 garments is to wash them in gasoline or benzine and then to expose 



i Forest and Stream, XII, 1879, p. 365. 



