Why do skunks spray?

Why do the skunks spray? This is a common question which is asked by many people. The skunk may spray for different reasons. When a skunk sprays, it is one of the defense mechanisms it uses to protect itself against predators like badgers, wolves or coyotes. Humans may be perceived as predators sometimes, and the skunk may spray when humans encroach on its space. This may take place when the skunk is found under the house and the person stomps on their floor or a woman who is in high heels walks on the floor. The skunk may spray since it will perceive the sounds to be a threat to its well-being.

The skunk has two anal glands. The glands will produce a chemical which contains sulfur. The sulfur produces an unbearable smell. They have learned to spray the animals that they think are a threat to them in order to protect themselves. A skunk will first stomp their feet many times. This is a warning that the skunk is irritated, and it will turn around and put the glands toward the direction where the threat is found. When the threat continues to advance, then the skunk can spray a stream of the oil toward this threat.

The skunks are able to spray the smelly oil a distance of over 10 feet, and there have been instances where the skunk may spray over 20 feet with accuracy. Some say that the skunk may spray only one time, but this is not true. There are skunks that can spray over 8 times one after the other, depending on the level of spray that has been used with the previous shots. The skunks are able to control the amount of chemical which is being used with every individual shot.

After people get sprayed, they are concerned about how they may get rid of the skunk spray smell. Some people recommend the use of lemon, tomato juice and other household products. The solution that has been proven to be an effective fix is the mix of peroxide, dishwashing liquid and baking soda.

Such a chemical may be mixed and applied to the skin or materials in order to help in getting rid of the skunk odor. However, to be on the safe side, you should contact an expert in skunk scent removal to help you to get rid of this awful smell. Wildlife and humans have coexisted since the dawn of time. There has been increased interaction between wild animals and people in the more recent times due to humans’ extensive development and encroachment on the natural habitats of numerous animals. This means it is more common for people to find wild animals such as raccoons, opossums, and deer on their property. Wild animals are known to be quite destructive and can carry dangerous diseases that can pose a risk to humans.

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