JOHNSON — HABIT OF THE SPOTTED SKUNK 
87 
THE ‘‘HAND-STAND^’ HABIT OF THE SPOTTED SKUNK 
By Charles Eugene Johnson 
In the Journal of Mammalogy for February, 1920, there appeared 
a note by A. H. Howell with regard to a Florida spotted skunk which 
he had suddenly met with, standing erect on its fore legs. Seton, in 
the following (May) number of the journal tells of having seen a 
similar attitude assumed by the large northern skunk {Mephitis putida)^ 
when the animal apparently was in a playful mood. Since httle seems 
to be known concerning this rather pecuHar habit among skunks the 
following notes which I was fortunate enough to obtain a few weeks 
ago may be of interest. 
On December 28, 1920, while in the field near Lawrence, I came 
upon one of the little spotted skunks {Spilogale interrupta), common in 
this region, which at the time was travehng leisurely across a wheat 
field. It was 11 o’clock in the forenoon and the day was very mild, the 
temperature being about 50°. When first seen the skunk was about 
60 or 70 yards distant. I got out my kodak and gave chase with the 
intention only of securing a photograph. 
When the skunk saw me as I came running toward it, it hastened its 
gait somewhat and arched its tail and waved it menacingly. I had 
set the focus at 8 feet and as I caught up with the skunk I dropped 
into a fast walk and then took a few quick steps toward it in order to 
get my distance. As I did so, but before I could properly aim the 
kodak and press the bulb, the skunk, which was proceeding at a rather 
slow, deliberate trot, suddenly threw its hindquarters into the air 
and actually ran a few steps on its fore legs. Its body seemed almost 
perpendicular and the hind legs were spread apart but were also drawn 
up somewhat toward the flanks; the tail was erect but drooped more 
or less over the back and sides and twitched threateningly. As the 
animal threw up its hindquarters it also turned sHghtly on its fore 
legs and twisted its body in an endeavor to face me. I stopped short 
but the skunk immediately dropped back. to all fours again and con- 
tinued running. In making further attempts to get a photograph of 
the animal I discovered to my great disgust that the shutter, long 
unused, refused to function properly, so that I ceased my efforts in this 
direction and gave my attention entirely to the skunk. 
On three separate occasions while endeavoring to get a photograph 
of the skunk I quickly stepped up to within about 6 feet of it as it was 
running before me and each time the animal performed a perfect 
