In everyday speech, the sense of smell is commonly used as a catch-all category meant to represent a perception in general. For example the phrases, “I smell a rat,” or, “Something smells fishy” Each of these statements is rarely taken literally. You are unlikely to actually detect the presence of a small rodent through your sense of smell. However, in nature you might literally say “I smell a Javalina, “or “I smell a skunk”.
Mammals have three distinct types of glands which transmit substances to the surface of their body - sweat glands, mammary glands and scent glands. Smells are vitally important to most mammals. Even humans, with our much reduced olfactory senses, are affected by smells, hence the success of the perfume industry and of aromatherapy.
In other mammals, scent is an integral part of everyday communication with the rest of the world. Through smell, animals can tell what other species of animals share their world; and within a species, specially deposited scents pass on information concerning an individual's sex, social status, breeding condition and state of health. Scent glands then are very important and occur in a variety of places around the mammal’s body. Many mammals have more than one set of scent glands. A survey reveals that male deer have scent glands on their lower legs, elephants have them behind their eyes, canines on their feet, antelopes on their cheeks and numerous species have them associated with their genital area which allows them to mix small amounts of volatile but concentrated compounds with their feces and or urine.
Like mammary glands, scent glands are probably modified sweat glands. Some animals use scent to mark out their territories either by depositing feces or urine at marker points or by rubbing their scent glands on prominent parts of the environment - branches, rocks, etc. Other mammals use scents to communicate simply by releasing them into the air; this normally applies to social scents indicating status and sexual state. Finally, some animals, such as the skunks, use their scent glands, or the substances produced in them, as a means of defense.
Four species of skunks are found in Arizona. All of them have scent glands which secrete a secretion of musk that gives them their malodorous reputation. Their defensive reaction and warning white on black color patterns are usually enough to deter all but the most determined predator. These nocturnal foragers are rarely seen by Saddlebrooke residents, while their nightly activities leave many clues behind, such as, finding potted plants and gardens dug up at night often with no evidence that the plants were eaten. This is usually the activity of skunks that are rooting for grubs and earthworms. Skunks are omnivores but really seem to prefer a snack of mice, bird eggs and insects. The striped skunk is the most common road kill on the highways. Their natural defense is the ability to rather accurately spray their musk in the face of any threat; however they have not realized that this does not stop a 16-wheeler or even a Smartcar. Natural selection takes time.
The most common of the species by far is the cat-sized striped skunk that occurs throughout North America. This species always displays a thin white stripe on its face, even though the striping pattern may vary between individuals and populations. The usual markings, however, are two lateral stripes that form a chevron, merging toward the back of the head. These skunks are active throughout the year and do not hibernate even in northern Arizona.
The closely related hooded skunk is generally confined to southeastern Arizona, and is commonly found in our area. Somewhat leaner than the striped skunk, hooded skunks weigh from 1¾ to 2 ½ pounds and have a 12 to 16 inch long body. The white stripes on this animal are often solidly joined to form one large white streak down the center of the back. The hooded skunk also differs from the striped skunk in that its foot-long tail is longer than its body. Both animals have the thin white stripe on the face.
The western spotted skunk is also known as the civet. The average length of this small skunk, including the tail, is only about 15 inches. This skunk is also faster and more agile than its larger cousins and is able to hunt rats and mice. It occasionally takes up residence in a garage or attic. The spotted skunk's overall color is black with a white triangular patch on the forehead and a white spot under each ear. Five or six broken white stripes run down the neck, back, and sides, giving the impression of blotches or spots, which gives the animal its name. I have removed and relocated several spotted skunks from homes in Saddlebrooke.
The large, 2 ½ to 6-pound hog-nosed skunk is also easily identified by its entirely white back and tail and lack of any stripe on the forehead. Moreover, the elongated and slightly up-turned snout is largely naked, and the long claws on the feet are almost bear-like in appearance. This species occurs primarily in southeastern Arizona.
All of the skunks are more or less omnivores, feeding on grasshoppers and other insects, grubs, worms, mice, lizards, bulbs, carrion, and garbage. Some even take to raiding bird nests, taking not only the eggs, but birds as well. Even the hog-nosed skunk, which digs for most of its food, will eat fruits and carrion on occasion.
The striped, hooded, and hog-nosed skunks all mate in late winter and early spring, and produce from two to four young in April or May. The spotted skunk breeds in late September and early October, but the fertilized egg remains in a state of arrested development until March or April when implantation occurs - the two-to-four young being born about a month later. The young of all the skunk species are raised and on their own by early fall.
Richard Beaty, a class member whose dog had a run-in with a skunk last Christmas, wrote this poem.
**Dusty's Most Memorable Christmas**
Twas the night of Christmas and Dusty had to pee,
so she went outside and what did she see?
But a bushy white critter quite unconcerned,
with a secret weapon that Dusty soon learned.
She bounded over ready to play,
but the ungrateful creature ruined her day.
She got it full in the face I think,
and we spent the next hour getting rid of the stink.
Now Dusty is schooled in a Naturalist View,
a hog-nosed skunk gave her a lesson or two.
While I in my shorts climbed into the tub,
and bent over Dusty and proceeded to scrub.
The intruder waddled off with an unconcerned pose,
while I pinched my fingers to close off my nose.
I heard him exclaim as he ambled out of sight,
I think you’ll remember this Christmas night.
-- Richard Beaty, Naturalist View Class Member
Spotted Skunk
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