It's confirmed i love skunks!

[ladyboid]

I have been thinking about skunks for some time now (couple of years) and i know that i am still not ready for one but i do know now after meeting one at the weekend and having a good cuddle that i do really love them as much as i though i would and more
I did know that there was a few species of skunks but i didnt relise there was 12 types..!

I still think my fav has to be the black and white stripe even though i think the spotted are very attractive.
how common are the other types in captivity?

while searching for skunk piccys to go silly over and info on them i found a some film on them that i thought people might find interesting.
It is in 6 parts.

Is That Skunk? - Video: Full Episode | Nature

All skunk owners please feel free to give me a list of the bad points of being a skunk owner...
dont hold back on info!! if they will shred my house and poo in my kitchin sink please tell me

I dont need to know the good points as i am pretty sure i can guess most of them

[farmercoope]

I must have watched that docmentary a good few times! It's really good!

A few ?bad? points

*they poop for england, not all can be litter trained, we all have accidents.
*they nick your clothes and blankets to make beds and dens.
*they raid your cupboards for food and tastey treats, all kitchen cupboards should ideally have locks as there may be somethign they can get to which they shouldnt.
*some skunks have a tendency to scratch at carpets, especially if a nice smelling food was once spilled there. Wood or tiles are good.

[ditta]

well we have two, domino a black n white chip who is so well behaved its untrue........and chester a choc n white devil...........

so bad points.......erm.......they eat anything and everything
they raid and steal anything thats not nailed down
they sleep in the litter tray after they have pooped in it!!!
they open vivs
they bite your slippers with your feet in them
they climb your legs looking for food
they escape through cat flap and cause heart failure for all
they sqeal like pigs when playing
they chase kittens and steal their food, toys, etc
as for pooping in the kitchen sink.......yes if they can get to it
they eat the kitchen floor tiles
they make nests in your clean washing
they will get where you dont want them to, and wont come out unless food is offered
you cant have a kitchen bin.....or anything in your cupboards unless locked
your fridge will be overflowing with veg and none is for you its all for them

there is more than likley lots more bad points but weve only been owned by them for 6 months so we still learning



as for good points

all of the above and the most beautiful faces in the world

[evilchild]

do they smell and spary your house?

have woundered this for a while now?

[ditta]

all uk bred skunks will be able to spray as descenting is now illegal. but they use it as a defence so well socialised well adjusted skunks often dont but yes they can if they feel threatened

[evilchild]

Originally Posted by ditta

all uk bred skunks will be able to spray as descenting is now illegal. but they use it as a defence so well socialised well adjusted skunks often dont but yes they can if they feel threatened

how bad is it?

[ditta]

never happened to me but i know of others who have been sprayed and yes it stinks and a hell of a job to get rid of smell

[Shell195]

I too love Skunks but dont feel ready to have one yet. Dominoe is most definately my first Skunky love, hes divine

[ditta]

he feels the same about you too shell

[ladyboid]

*they poop for england, not all can be litter trained, we all have accidents. how stinky and smelly? ( i need to know everything i can about them to prepare )

*they nick your clothes and blankets to make beds and dens. this is all good with me my dogs do this and then shred them after

*they raid your cupboards for food and tastey treats, all kitchen cupboards should ideally have locks as there may be somethign they can get to which they shouldnt. thats great locks can easly be fitted

*some skunks have a tendency to scratch at carpets, especially if a nice smelling food was once spilled there.Wood or tiles are good. wood floors and tiles already down


so bad points.......erm.......they eat anything and everything does their diet have to be very carfully monitored ? or can i let them eat left overs as well as a skunky diet?

they raid and steal anything thats not nailed down mmm, might have to move a few things around

they sleep in the litter tray after they have pooped in it!!! lol, not good! are they happy to be bathed often or will it be bad for their coat?

they open vivs i have a seperate viv room and they are all locked

they bite your slippers with your feet in them playfully or to bleed?

they climb your legs looking for food i can handle that (as long as the kids can

they escape through cat flap and cause heart failure for all can they climb 6 foot fences or dig really fast deep holes?

they sqeal like pigs when playing i dont mind

they chase kittens and steal their food, toys, etc how are they with grown dogs?

as for pooping in the kitchen sink.......yes if they can get to it sinks can easly be steralized, are they likey to poop on my sofa? if so are we talking like every day or just the odd acident?

they eat the kitchen floor tiles doggie tries this with mine but has not even marked them yet so think i am safe

they make nests in your clean washing as long as they are not covered constantly in poo i really dont mind


they will get where you dont want them to, and wont come out unless food is offered *mentle note* "keep fridge well stocked of treats"

you cant have a kitchen bin.....or anything in your cupboards unless locked got to have a kitchen bin... just have to work that out when it comes to it

your fridge will be overflowing with veg and none is for you its all for them how much veg do they need each week for one skunk? a weekly shopping list of a skunks diet would be great to see

sorry for all the questions i would just rather find out as much as i can before even getting to excited about planning one for the future