- Wildlife Education Series
SKUNK CONTROL EDUCATION
Do skunks run out of spray?
The skunks may spray up to six sprays without stopping. They have two glands in the shape of a walnut, and they are being refilled whenever it is needed. A skunk can alternate between the two while spraying. The spray is normally volatile and it is made using seven compounds which may vaporize at once when it comes in contact with air.
When it comes to spraying, the skunk will choose to warn its victim first before it can spray. The warning signs will include puffing, arching, tail raising, hissing and foot stamping. If a skunk is healthy, it will spray for 15 feet and it can be accurate up to 10 feet. A baby skunk is known as a kit and it is capable of spraying eight times in a day. The skunk spray is an eye irritant and it can cause temporary blindness and burning.
The spray is an anal liquid that comes from the anal glands found under its tail, and it is used when it is attacked or threatened. The spray is the defense mechanism of the skunk. However, even if this spray is made by the body itself, it is not in unlimited supply and it will deplete when it is used. It is an oily liquid and it smells bad, but it gets even more pronounced if it is mixed with water. The chemical reaction will make the odor more pronounced, so the effort to get rid of the smell can backfire.
The spray of the skunk is used as a defense mechanism, but it is not a method used to start a fight. If the skunk is threatened, he will turn his back to the predator. He raises the tail and will shoot the liquid mist in the direction of the predator. The skunks are not going to spray if they do not feel compelled to do so. The spray sacs will store the liquid that it is worth five sprays, and it takes around a week or even longer for replenishing the store.
Even if the makeup of the chemical will give it a foul odor, the smell is not the only thing that will ward off the animals. If the animal is sprayed in its face, then the spray will cause discomfort and pain. The animals may vomit or they may feel sick for some time. If they have been sprayed in the eyes, it may burn and may make them blind temporarily. The spray is a powerful chemical and it will make everything it touches smell bad.
Both the male and the female are able to spray, and they can always spray with accuracy. The skunks have their stripes in a pattern to show where their weapon is. The skunk is known to be a lousy fighter and inept runner, which means that they will rely mostly on their noxious spray to protect themselves. You should not think that babies are safe since they are also able to spray starting from an early age.
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