![]() They're in a family named for their best-known attribute. Even if you're nowhere near the scene of the spray, you could still suffer the unpleasant consequences: People can detect the scent from up to a mile downwind. ![]() Aside from the offensive smell that lingers for days (or even weeks), the spray is intensely irritating and can cause temporary blindness in anyone unfortunate enough to get caught in the stream. Skunks can shoot their sulfur-smelling defense mechanism up to 10 feet out of their anal glands. Skunks, however, are nocturnal and solitary, putting them more at risk for terrestrial attacks their ability to spray and stun predators works well in the event of a surprise ambush. They tend to rely on a lookout to scour the skies and call out warnings in the event of danger. Animals that are awake during the day are more vulnerable to attacks from carnivorous birds. Why did skunks evolve to rely on a pungent secretion for self-defense while other animals-for example, the meerkat-rely on strength in numbers? A 2014 study found that it has to do with when the potential prey is out and about. Skunks evolved their smelly spray because they're nocturnal. In an effort to avoid having to actually spray their scent-which would render them helpless until they can "reload"-the skunks will run through a series of maneuvers intended to intimidate, including stomping the ground, slapping their tail and, if they’re the smaller spotted skunk, engaging in an awkward handstand-dance. If the stripes don’t work, a skunk will try to scare off a predator with a complex warning dance. Better to intimidate a predator away than need to spray him. The researchers thought this might help keep them safe while conserving their energy and efforts. So, while a badger has stripes on his face to highlight his sharp teeth, skunks’ stripes are perfectly positioned to highlight their ability to spray potential threats. A 2011 study found that animal species that choose fight over flight when faced with a predator often have markings that draw attention to their best weapon. If it seems like the skunk’s stripes are pointing right to where the noxious spray comes out, that’s because they are. Skunks get a bad rap, but there's amazing chemistry and crazy behavior behind these adorable animals.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |