Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: thedoc on 17/07/2012 03:30:07
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Ralph Leftwich asked the Naked Scientists:
Last night my dog was out after dark within a chain link fenced area. She
was sprayed by a skunk, so we had a wonderful time cleaning her up. As I
never saw the skunk, I wondered if it had climbed in or maybe they just came
together on different sides of the fence?
Love your show.
Ralph, Portland Oregon US.
What do you think?
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Yes, Skunks are perfectly capable of climbing.
The Striped Skunk, with its long claws, will not climb trees, except when young. As they age, the long claws become a disadvantage when coming back down trees, but they are known to climb wire fencing. The Spotted Skunk is a good climber and will climb trees. It can come back down the tree head first.
Skunks are great to have in your garden for pest control and some keen gardeners in the US will attract skunks for that very purpose. Since they are nocturnal, they don't usually cause a problem, but disturbing their nest or their night time hunt can result in a most unpleasant aroma, as you and your dog have been unfortunate to discover the hard way.
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Skunks are great to have in your garden for pest control and some keen gardeners in the US will attract skunks for that very purpose. Since they are nocturnal, they don't usually cause a problem
They will get rid of ground dwelling wasps for you. I've wondered how they survived such a feat, but perhaps being nocturnal hunters helps.
It says they are omnivorous, so I wonder if they are one of the critters that dig up may garden plants.